Coastline feedback sought
STRIKING a balance between development and retaining the natural features of Waitaki's coastline is an issue the Waitaki District Council must get right, Mayor Gary Kircher says.
The council is seeking views from the public on the district's coastline and what it means to them, how far inland the coastal environment should be protected and whether coastal areas should be developed or left alone.
Mr Kircher said the feedback would form how the coastal environment was incorporated into the council's 10year district plan review.
‘‘Basically, we are looking at what the rules are in the district plan around that to try and make sure the district plan reflects what people want to see — how much development for example, how much things are left natural.
‘‘It's all about different activities, commercial, residential and certainly around keeping the landscape where people want that to be maintained and perhaps free of buildings, for example.''
He said it was crucial a balance was found.
‘‘People have a lot of passion for our coastline, so it's very important we get this right. It's trying to get the balance . . . there are visual elements but also a recreational element and access.’’
According to the plan’s discussion document, key issues related to the district's coastline that needed to be addressed included planning controls not reflecting the diversity within the ‘‘current significant coastal landscape’’ and the present district plan not containing any rules relating to the use and development of land subject to coastal erosion.
Development pressures and the impact of tree plantings are also raised in the document.