Regional Coastal Environment Plan

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 will become 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.

Operative Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan

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:

Rules to regulate some activities in the coastal marine area. This includes building of structures, disturbance of the foreshore or seabed, reclaiming the sea, discharging contaminants and other activities. These activities generally require a coastal permit from Council before they can be undertaken.
Policies about important environmental issues on land adjacent to the sea. This includes issues relating to the natural character and landscape of the coast, public access and coastal hazards. These policies do not regulate people's activities directly but provide guidance in the preparation of district plans and consideration of resource consents.
Fifteen schedules including site specific information on coastal values (including landscape, vegetation, bird habitat, conservation areas and culturally significant areas), development plans for the Ports of Tauranga and Whakatāne, water quality standards and environmental monitoring.

Regional Coastal Environment Plan Text

Regional Coastal Environment Plan Maps

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.

Coastal Marine Area and River Mouth Boundary Agreement 2008

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:

Coastal Marine Area and River Mouths Boundary Agreement 1 August 2008

Maps 1-10	Maps 11-20	Maps 21-30
Map 1 Waiau River	Map 11 Kaituna River	Map 21 Otara River
Map 2 Uretara Stream	Map 12 Wairoa River	Map 22 Waiaua River
Map 3 Tuapiro Creek	Map 13 Waimapu Stream	Map 23 Tirohanga River
Map 4 Nguturu (Te Mere) stream	Map 14 Waitahanui River	Map 24 Torere River
Map 5 Te Mania Stream	Map 15 Tarawera River	Map 25 Hawai River
Map 6 Aongatete Stream	Map 16 Rangitāiki River	Map 26 Mōtū River
Map 7 Wainui River	Map 17 Whatatāne River	Map 27 Waikakariki (Haparapara)
Map 8 Stream near Apata	Map 18 Nukuhou River	Map 28 Kereu River
Map 9 Waipapa River	Map 19 Waiotahi	Map 29 Raukōkore
Map 10 Te Puna Stream	Map 20 Waioeka River	Map 30 Whangaparoa River

Appeals to the second generation RCEP

Final decisions have now been reached on the two outstanding appeals, these are:

ONFL 5 – Matakana Barrier Arm
Marine Spatial Planning/Proposed Motiti Protection Area

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:

ONFL 5 – Matakana Barrier Arm

Marine Spatial Planning/ Proposed Motiti Protection Area

Updates on the case can be viewed on the proposed Motiti Protection Area webpage.

Statutory acknowledgements

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 Coastal Plan

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.

Key contact

Get in touch with Stacey Faire regarding the Regional Coastal Environmental Plan on 0800 884 880, ext 8317.

Downloads

Regional Coastal Environment Plan Text

New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010