Thirteen new sections off a flood-damaged road in the Marlborough Sounds have been granted consent, despite concerns about sediment runoff and the removal of vegetation.
A consent for 27 lots on the section, on Kenepuru Rd, near Portage Resort, was originally granted to the owner in 2008, but the subdivision did not go ahead due to economic downturn in the global financial crisis.
A resource consent hearing was held in August before independent commissioner Antoinette Besier to consider the latest proposal for 13 sections. Besier released her decision to grant the consent on November 29.
The proposed sizes for the sections would range from 4065m² to 15 hectares, and 1200m² of indigenous vegetation would need to be cleared.
The decision said submitters raised concerns about the removal of vegetation, the need for stormwater management, earthworks causing sediment runoff, and the effects of extra use on the flood-damaged community boat ramp.
A person submitting on behalf of the Kenepuru and Central Sounds Residents Association provided “extensive” evidence about the area, including the impact of flooding events in July 2021 and August 2022.
That submitter said consent conditions were needed to protect the community from issues such as sediment runoff as the flooding events had cost the community considerably. Portage Resort also needed to be protected, he said, noting that it was a meeting place for the community.
Marlborough District Council senior rivers engineer Geoff Dick said any land development should use “absolute best practice” to minimise the risk of land slippages and sediment discharge into the Kenepuru Sound.
He said the risk of major debris blockages could only really be minimised by consent conditions and regular inspections, the decision said.
Besier’s decision said the key issue of contention was “the management of the effects of the subdivision in terms of sediment runoff through stormwater on the steep hillside in proximity to other land use”.
“The proposed residential subdivision is not insignificant. It will introduce significant risks with respect to the management of sediment and stormwater through the construction phase.”
Besier said from a site visit it was evident there were existing problems with stormwater and sediment management, and the environment was “particularly sensitive” due to the proximity of Portage and the foreshore.
“The focus shifts to the conditions of consent,” the decision said.
“I consider that it is imperative that the conditions appropriately manage the sediment and stormwater effects and that the development is monitored by the council and conditions reviewed if necessary.”
Besier said she had relied on the evidence of three experts in reaching the view that the subdivision could proceed.
“This subdivision, while anticipated and supported by the PMEP (Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan), should not exacerbate the existing issues with respect to stormwater and sediment management,” Besier said.
The council’s environmental planner said they needed to do stormwater upgrade work in the area which should be done before the subdivision was allowed.
Besier said she agreed stormwater and sediment needed to be managed, however most of the site was allowed residential development in the council’s coastal living zone of the PMEP.
Besier said she was satisfied that the impact on landscape and natural character would be minor, or less than minor. She said she was not able to impose any conditions on the use of the boat ramp.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
