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Saul Gudsell introduced the paper
and brought attention to the National Policy Statement for Indigenous
Biodiversity which had just come into effect. Discussion covered:
·
That
the Policy Statement was mostly focused on protection, but that there were
some provision that looked to increase indigenous biodiversity as well.
· The meaning of ‘at least no
overall loss’ of indigenous biodiversity and if it was enabling
decisions where avoidance is unachievable.
· That for Regional Council that this
would mean updating the Regional Policy Statement and Plan to reflect the
provisions.
·
Territorial
Authorities would need to map Significant Natural Areas and Taonga Species
but regional council would assist and there would be need for partnership
with tangata whenua as there had been with Sites of Significance.
· The need for early and effective
engagement in the Kotahi space
· That the Significant Natural Areas
provisions would not extinguish existing use rights but that it could prevent
an increase to the intensity or scale of an activity
· That there was an opportunity for
this committee to think about partnership with private land owners.
· Avenues for targets for indigenous
Biodiversity cover in the urban area
· That this was a very complex area in
terms of Policy Statements, Environmental Standards, and RMA Reform with a
number of moving parts and different timelines
· The potential for biodiversity
credits to assist in the restoration of Whenua Māori
· Concern in some communities that the
identification of Significant Natural Areas may lead to public works and land
confiscation.
·
Roger
Maaka’s contributions to Wai 262 which informed this Policy statement
were acknowledged.
The National Policy statement was
also discussed. It was noted that this was supported by a National
Environmental Standard and that there were 2 consents for discharge to air
for coal in the region but that these could also burn wood pallets.
Discussion included:
·
That
probably heaters that burned diesel for frost protection in the horticultural
sector were not covered.
·
What
would be effected which included potentially the timber processing industry
in Wairoa, the hospital and other industry.
The
introduction of a water services entity was noted as an ongoing discussion.
Interest
was expressed in submitting on the Emissions Trading scheme, particularly
around a permanent forest category and the introduction of biodiversity
credits.
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