The proposal follows the consenting of a walking track in 2017 which was then removed. Photo / Warren Buckland
The proposal follows the consenting of a walking track in 2017 which was then removed. Photo / Warren Buckland
A move to protect the future of the eastern face of Te Mata Peak is being considered by the Hastings District Council.
The council's District Planning and Bylaws subcommittee on Tuesday received a report titled Proposed Plan Change 4 – Te Matā Eastern Face which proposes amendments to the districtplan.
It follows the council consenting a walking track on the eastern face in December 2017 which was met with concerns from iwi and the wider community before ultimately being removed.
The proposed amendments to the district plan include lowering the building prohibition line from the current 240-metre contour line to the 200-metre contour line which includes almost the entire outstanding natural landscape's boundary.
A council spokesperson said currently buildings under 50 square metres are permitted and buildings above that require resource consent as a non-complying activity.
The proposed prohibition line will include almost the entire outstanding natural landscape area. Image / Hastings District Council
But it is proposed that the prohibition be extended to a wider range of buildings, with only farm buildings under 50sq m in gross floor area being allowed on this eastern face.
The amendments will also reduce the volumes of earthworks that can be undertaken on the eastern face.
The agenda states that the current provisions within the district plan do not give the mountain the appropriate level of significance or protection, particularly in regard to its significance to Māori, evidenced with consent that was given to construct a track on the eastern face in December 2017.
"This has resulted in the council in collaboration with Nga Hapū o Heretaunga looking at the essence of Te Mata and what is required to restore its mauri and better protect it in the future."
Proposed Plan Change 4 is the first stage in amendments that are required to be made to the district plan to ensure there is the appropriate level of protection for the eastern face of Te Mata in place.
It is an "important step" in ensuring the council meets its obligations under Part 2 of the Resource Management Act; ensuring that it recognises and provides for the relationship of Māori, their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu and other taonga; and that council has regard to Nga Hapū o Heretaunga's kaitiakitanga responsibilities.
A council spokesperson said there are two landowners affected by the proposed changes.
There is a certificate of compliance that has been issued but it is outside of the proposed prohibition line, the spokesperson said.
A council spokesperson said the subcommittee did not approve the proposal today and has asked for clarification around the earthwork's provisions.
It also intends to do a site visit and the provisions put forward in the agenda could change when it comes back to the subcommittee.
