Toxic Algae Warning
Indigenous biodiversity means the living organisms that occur naturally in New Zealand, and the ecological complexes of which they are a part, including all forms of indigenous flora, fauna, and fungi, and their habitats.
While we have large areas of regenerating indigenous habitat in Lower Hutt, they contain some rare and endangered species and very little is left of some types of habitat such as wetlands. Many of these areas are on public land, but some are on private property.
A National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity, was released by the previous government, giving direction to councils on protecting indigenous biodiversity. This included direction on identifying and protecting Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) through district plans. However, in 2024 the government amended the Resource Management Act to suspend the identification of SNAs.
The Ecosystems and Indigenous Biodiversity chapter includes objectives, policies, rules and other methods for protecting and restoring native habitats in Lower Hutt. While these provisions apply throughout Lower Hutt, provisions controlling vegetation removal apply only within the Natural Open Space Zone and residential zones.
Read the Ecosystems and Indigenous Biodiversity s32 Evaluation Report (PDF 1.4 MB)
Coastal margins and riparian margins adjacent to the coast, streams and lakes have natural character values and provide public and customary access to the coast and freshwater bodies, while also providing public amenity, recreation, hazard management and ecological values.
The Natural Character - Coastal Margins and Riparian Margins chapter includes objectives, policies and rules to protect the natural character of coastal and riparian margins across the district. The chapter also plays a role in maintaining and enhancing public access to waterbodies and the coast.
Read the Natural Character s32 Evaluation Report (PDF 1.6 MB)
Outstanding natural features and landscapes are exceptional natural areas with little human influence. The Resource Management Act requires the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes as a matter of national importance. Seven outstanding natural features or landscapes have been identified in the proposed District Plan.
The purpose of the chapter is to protect identified Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes and to manage the effects of subdivision, use and development on these places.
Read the Natural Features and Landscapes s32 Evaluation Report (PDF 1.6MB)
The purpose of the Public Access chapter is to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of public access to and along the coastal marine area, lakes and rivers.
The Public Access chapter sets objectives and policies that relate to public access but contains no rules. The objectives and policies are implemented through rules and standards in other chapters, primarily the Subdivision chapter (which includes requirements for esplanade strips and reserves) and Natural Character chapter (which includes rules on development within coastal and riparian margins).
Read the Public Access s32 Evaluation Report (PDF 1.7 MB)