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Rural Area Development - Rural development

What Council Is Doing

Council continues to monitor development on high class soils in the Rural zone. Only one subdivision consent has been declined in the past 10 years.

In 2009/10 Council received an application which proposed to subdivide creating four lots between 5,507 m² and 8,050 m² and a balance larger lot on rural land near Morrinsville. The Hearings Commission declined the application which was then appealed to the Environment Court where the Hearings Commission decision was upheld (Sanson v Matamata-Piako District Council [2011] NZEnvC 165). The judge in making a decision concluded that:

 “In terms of taking land out of productive use, we would have to agree that losing 10, or even 13 ha, taken as a single instance, is unlikely to have a significant direct adverse effect, locally, regionally or nationally. But the cumulative effect of the loss of even that much cannot be ignored, especially when such an outcome conflicts with the relevant Plan provisions.”

 And also that the proposal would directly be responsible for fragmenting titles and establishing houses on good quality soils:  “The outcome would be exactly the opposite of what the Plan says is sought.”

Designations for non-productive activities on Class I, II and III soils can be removed to provide access to these high quality soils. From 2008/09 to 2010/11, no designations for non-productive activities were removed from high class soils, with 23 removed in 2011/12. There have been no designations removed from high class soils in the years since.

The removal of buildings can also make high class soils more available for productive uses. In the 10 years to 2017/18 a total of 70 building consents have been granted for demolition in the Rural Zone.

Removal of non-productive activities on high class soils 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19
Number of designations removed 0 0 0 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Number of building consents granted for demolition 8 13 7 6 3 8 5 1 4 4 6

How are we Doing?

Anticipated Environmental Results

Rural Area Development

Achieved?

  • AchievingAchieving
  • Progress towards achievementProgress towards achievement
  • Not AchieveingNot Achieving
  • Not MonitoredNot Monitored
A reduction in the number of building permits granted for dwellings on the high quality soils areas where there is no connection with an agricultural operation

Not Achieveing

(numbers not reducing)

All land titles are to be useable now and for future generations Progress towards  achievement
Land titles must not compromise the achievement of the Plan’s objectives and policies

Not Achieveing - Progress towards  achievement

(There is on-going erosion of rural productive area through small lot subdivision, but majority of rural productive land still intact)

Click here to learn more about District Plan Effectiveness and read the full report on Rural Area Development

For More Information 

Land Use Capability Survey Handbook

Contact This email 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

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