Eco rules to be lightened

Owners of properties with significant ecological areas on their land can expect a more permissive set of rules than first mooted in the draft Unitary Plan.

Significant ecological areas (SEAs) and mangrove management were considered by Auckland councillors and local board leaders at a Unitary Plan biodiversity workshop last week.

They heard reports on public feedback, as well as possible options to resolve issues raised on these topics.

A spokeswoman says there was general agreement for a more permissive approach to rules for property owners who have an SEA identified on their property in the draft Unitary Plan.

About 6000 sites were investigated across urban and rural Auckland and about 3,000 were found to have SEAs.