The next Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement Newsletter
No. 1 June 2009
Update on the next Regional Policy Statement (RPS)
Welcome
New RPS Subcommittee
Welcome to our first RPS newsletter, in which we let
you know:
In March this year, an RPS Subcommittee was
established to:
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What’s happened so far in developing our next RPS.
The latest changes and developments – a new RPS
Subcommittee and new timeframes.
What’s ahead…?
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What’s happened so far?
This year, our operative RPS will be 10 years old. Back
in 2008, under the Resource Management Act (RMA),
we needed to start reviewing it to see how efficient and
effective it had been. We held hui with iwi/hapu across
the region and consulted with councils, community
groups and other stakeholders. As a result the Council
decided to replace the RPS. We are now working on the
next RPS.
Further develop the next RPS
Make decisions on the content and structure of the
next RPS
Identify the main resource management issues for the
region and the preferred policy directions for those
issues
Review the timeframes agreed to in May 2008.
The RPS Subcommittee consists of:
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Councillor Raewyn Bennett (Chairperson)
Councillor Andrew von Dadelszen
Councillor Karen Summerhays
Councillor Robin Ford
Councillor Malcolm Whitaker
Minutes of the RPS Subcommittee workshops
and meetings are available on our website:
www.envbop.govt.nz
Feedback on The next RPS Issues and
Options Discussion Document
The RPS Project Team consists of:
In December 2008, a discussion document was
written highlighting the region’s significant resource
management issues, with options for addressing them in
the next RPS.
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Thank you to everyone who took the time and effort
to make comments on this document. Comments
were received from 53 stakeholders, organisations or
individuals. All of your feedback has been summarised,
discussed and will be taken into consideration when
developing the next RPS.
Nassah Steed
Jo Thompson
Martin Butler
David Phizacklea
Chad Grant
For more information on any aspect of the RPS,
please contact any of the project team staff on
0800 ENV BOP (368 267)
What are “some“ of the region’s issues?
Environment Bay of Plenty is committed to making the next RPS more directive, streamlined and effective. We
will concentrate on the big, significant regional issues such as:
• The effects of land activities on our soils, land, waterways, lakes and coast.
• Iwi Resource Management – culture, traditions and matters of national importance – we will keep
Change No. 1 provisions on ‘Criteria” (from the Operative RPS).
• Reducing air pollution
• Regional water allocation
• Protecting our indigenous biodiversity, landscape and heritage.
• Managing growth across the region – we will keep Change No. 2 provisions on ‘Growth Management”
(from the Operative RPS).
New Timeframes
In April this year, the Subcommittee decided to change
the timing of releasing the Draft RPS and notifying the
Proposed RPS. The extended timeframe will allow
more time to discuss the region’s significant resource
management issues and develop robust and effective
objectives, policies and methods.
The RPS Subcommittee and RPS Project Team are
currently drafting policy and objective options. The draft
RPS will be released for comments in October 2009.
The Proposed RPS is expected to be publicly notified in
mid 2010, starting the formal submissions and hearing
process.
December 2008
May 2009
The Next RPS Issues and
Options released – comments
considered
What’s ahead?
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The subcommittee will continue to decide on
provisions to address the region’s significant resource
management issues, with policies and methods to
direct regional and district plans.
Drafting provisions: objectives,
policies and methods
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The Draft RPS will be released for feedback in
October 2009.
Developing the Draft RPS
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We will keep you informed of our progress through
our newsletters, website and local newspapers.
Release the Draft RPS for
feedback
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The next newsletter will be sent out later this year.
Identifying the significant issues
Gathering more information
October 2009
Use feedback to help prepare the
Proposed RPS
Develop the Proposed RPS
Mid 2010
Contact us:
Email:
[email protected]
Publicly notify Proposed RPS.
Phone:
0800 ENV BOP (368 267)
Formal submissions and hearings
process
Write:
Regional Policy Statement,
Environment Bay of Plenty,
PO Box 364, Whakatane