Proposed Plan Change 2 (Private) to the Waikato Regional Coastal Plan: Pare Hauraki Kaimoana

Proposed Plan Change 2 (Private) proposes to add a new standalone rule in Chapter 16 (16.5 Marine Farming) of the Waikato Regional Coastal Plan to provide for subsurface anchor lines and anchor structures, along with any associated seabed disturbance to be located outside of the Coromandel Marine Farming Zone (CMFZ) where they anchor an aquaculture structure that is located wholly within the surface of the CMFZ, as a discretionary activity.

There is also an amendment to Rule 16.5.6 to make it explicit that such structures are not a prohibited activity.  

The purpose of Proposed Plan Change 2 (Private) is stated as being to allow for greater flexibility in the layout of aquaculture activities within the CMFZ and to allow for more efficient and effective use of the CMFZ.

The request was notified for submissions on Friday 4 March 2022 and submissions closed on Monday 4 April 2022. A total of nine submissions were received (see below). The Summary of Decisions Requested was notified for further submissions on Friday 27 May 2022 and two further submissions were received. A hearings panel conducted hearings from 17-19 April 2023 in conjunction with resource consent applications for marine farming activities and structures by Pare Hauraki Kaimoana.

Waikato Regional Council adopted the Hearings Panel Recommendation report at a council meeting on 31 August 2023 and notified the decision on 27 September 2023. No appeals to the Environment Court were received.