Report: TR 2010/12

Author:  Mary C. Buckland, Landscape Architect, O’Connor Planning Consultants Limited,  Chow:Hill and GHD

Executive summary

In December 2008, Mary Buckland – Landscape Architect, O'Connor Planning Consultants Limited, Chow:Hill and GHD were commissioned by the Waikato Regional Council (also known as Environment Waikato) to undertake a landscape assessment of the Waikato region.

Environment Waikato is currently reviewing its Regional Policy Statement (RPS). At the time the operative RPS was drafted, assessing and delineating landscape values was not considered to be a high priority and consequently landscape issues were broadly encompassed within the Heritage chapter of the Waikato RPS. Therefore there is little by way of a regional perspective on landscape provided within the existing RPS.

The context has changed since then. In order to discharge its Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) functions, in particular its new function regarding the strategic integration of infrastructure with land use, the Waikato Regional Council has decided to become more involved in providing a regional perspective on landscape issues. The regional landscape is rapidly changing. Demand has increased for residential development in rural areas and areas close to rivers, lakes and the coast. Large scale forestry to pasture conversion has, and continues, to occur. Large wind farm developments are in the wings and new electricity lines are to pass through the region. With more large scale projects likely over the life of the Regional Policy Statement, the Council has recognised the need to manage the effects, including the cumulative effects, of development and other activity on regional landscape values.

The overall objective of the Waikato Regional Landscape Assessment was to provide the information and policy guidance required to develop a robust framework to bring about consistent and integrated management of landscapes and landscape values within the region while also providing an understanding of regional landscapes and identifying key elements of special landscapes so they are able to be appropriately managed and protected.

The Landscape Assessment was undertaken in three phases, being:

• • Part A: Context and Overview of Approach to Landscape Assessment
  • Part B: Landscape and Natural Character Assessment
  • Part C: Policy Framework to Manage Important Landscapes

The assessment will provide a significant resource to the council and others involved with resource management and landscape issues in the Waikato region. The assessment will assist local authorities, through the RPS, to meet s6 and s7 requirements of the RMA with respect to regional landscape and natural character values. It will also support the development of a consistent and integrated policy framework to guide how the regional council and territorial authorities in their respective functions achieve objectives for managing landscape values, natural features and natural character.

Waikato Regional Landscape Assessment [PDF, 3.3 MB]