What Council Is Doing

Council is able to impose conditions on new development to reduce impacts on amenity. These include the control of noise, dust, odour, glare, vibration, spray drift and signage. The number of conditions imposed has substantially increased between 200/01 and 2010/12.  The number of amenity conditions varies from year to year with the type of activities applying for consent and the environmental effects they may have. This increase also reflects a shift in attitude by Councils Regulatory Planners towards being transparent about what is acceptable in terms of amenity effects. To achieve this they have been applying conditions to consents clearly stating the limits of what is acceptable. In the past the planners have relied on the limits specified in the District Plan.

Council is also working with local land owners to protect the district’s significant natural features. Landowners who think they have a significant site on their property can apply for either a rates remission and/or funding towards fencing the site from the Significant Natural Features Grant. This grant was established in 2006 when Council worked with an ecologist to determine significant native vegetation in the district. 667 units of habitat totaling 3,111 hectares have been surveyed and 23% of this area (721 hectares) was considered significant. Of the total area surveyed, 78% was determined to be indigenous (predominantly native species), 20% (mainly non-native species) and 2% was not determined. The significant features included native indigenous vegetation, such as native tree stands, areas of bush, and wetlands. Council, along with a working party made up from different sectors of the community, considered different incentives to offer landowners who fence off and protect significant natural features.

Council is happy to provide an ecologist to survey potentially significant sites that have not already been visited within the district. Please contact Customer Services to discuss this further.

What You Can Do To Help

Contact Council if you are affected by loud noise or offensive odours

How are we Doing?

Anticipated Environmental Results Amenity	Achieved?   Achieving Progress towards achievement Not Achieving Not Monitored
A reduction in the number of complaints from the public concerning the adverse effects of activities	(Reduced from 2000, but increased from a low in 2005/06)
Improved public perception of general amenity in the built environment, particularly urban areas	(This could be if we had some baseline data to show ‘improvement’ against)
Evolution of a more interesting and varied urban form	(Applications for breaches to standards appear limited in range and number)
Maintenance and enhancement of building, site and visual appearance in rural, residential and business areas
Retention of the special heritage character of Te Aroha, the "garden city" character of Matamata and introduction of the mainstreet concept in Morrinsville
Reduced incidence of nuisance affecting residential, business and recreational areas	(Reduced from 2000, but increased from a low in 2005/06)
Minimal adverse visual amenity and traffic safety effects from signs and advertising
Establishment of increasing number of innovative and comprehensive residential development with generous amenity provision
Longer term improvements in environmental health and safety due to reduced rural nuisance and improved management of agricultural spray usage and application
Visual amenity of significant landscape areas is unchanged or improved
Increase in number of trees planted in the district by Council and private landowners

Click here to learn more about District Plan Effectiveness and read the full report on Amenity

Useful Links

Matamata-Piako Noise Control Information

Incompatible Activities

Ministry for the Environment Amenity Indicators

Environmental Awareness, Attitudes and Actions Survey

2010 Waikato Region Perception Survey

For More Information

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or

Customer Services
Matamata-Piako District Council
PO Box 266, Te Aroha 3342
Phone: 07 884 0060
Fax: 07 884 8865