The Regional Coastal Environment Plan (RCEP) promotes sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the Bay of Plenty's coastal environment.
The second generation Regional Coastal Environment Plan became operative on 3 December 2019.
There are two remaining appeals to the RCEP. These are discrete matters and as these appeals are resolved the RCEP will be updated to incorporate amendments as required.
This plan has been in the making since 2011 and the journey has included multiple courts, hearings and appeals, plus iwi/hapū and stakeholder participation.
The Plan covers the entire coastal environment including the coastal marine area (the area between mean high water spring tides and the '12 mile limit' of the territorial seas) and the land backdrop. It includes:
The planning maps cover the entire coastal strip of the region, including harbours and offshore islands and land backdrop at a scale of 1:25 000. The maps identify many of the special values of the coast that need protecting.
Council, territorial authorities and the Minister of Conservation are required to agree on the location of river mouths in the region, which are then used to establish the boundary of the coastal marine area in rivers that enter the sea.
The Coastal Marine Area Boundary and River Mouths were redefined in 2008 by a new agreement signed by the relevant territorial authorities (Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Tauranga City Council, Whakatāne District Council and Ōpōtiki District council), Council and the Department of Conservation (acting on behalf of the Minister of Conservation). These boundaries replace those included in the Second Schedule of the Regional Coastal Environment Plan shown on the planning maps.
The following signed agreement and maps are available for you to download:
Final decisions have now been reached on the two outstanding appeals, these are:
The Council is preparing the amendments directed by the Court for final confirmation. Once confirmed by the Court the Council will update the Regional Coastal Environment Plan to include the new provisions. These amendments will then be sent through to the Minister of Conservation for approval. Once approved, the changes will be publicly notified and the rules will become operative and enforceable. It is therefore expected to take a number of months before the rules are implemented.
Information relating to these appeals can be found in the Court of Appeal High Court and Environment Court and Court of Appeal decisions below:
Updates on the case can be viewed on the proposed Motiti Protection Area webpage.
The Ngā Whakaaetanga-ā-Ture ki Te Taiao ā Toi (Statutory Acknowledgements in the Bay of Plenty) is a compendium document to be read as an attachment to and in conjunction with the Operative Regional Coastal Environment Plan including any proposed regional plan or policy statement, and any variation or change notified by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Check out the Statutory Acknowledgements for more information.
Order a copy of the Operative Regional Coastal Environment Plan (RCEP) by phone on 0800 884 880 or email us at info@boprc.govt.nz. The plan is in two volumes (Volume 1 Text & Volume 2 Maps) at a cost of $30 each (GST Inclusive).
The Plan is also available to view at the Bay of Plenty Regional Council offices, all public libraries throughout the Bay of Plenty and service centres of Bay of Plenty's City and District Councils.
Get in touch with Stacey Faire regarding the Regional Coastal Environmental Plan on 0800 884 880, ext 8317.