LUC at regional level

Four steps are recommended in the Land Use Capability Survey Handbook for for undertaking and extensive LRI / LUC surveys:

Preliminary investigation

• Select the scale — this should reflect the purpose of the survey
• Source the relevant data
  • Maps — base, geology maps, soil maps
  • Data — nature and distribution of rock types and soil, climatic and hydrological, information on landforms, land cover and land use
  • Aerial Photographs

Mapping (field survey)

Remote techniques and technologies are useful for large and extensive surveys however remote mapping can only provide predictions and these will need to be checked, truthed and refined with a ground survey

• Reconnnaisssance — carry out field investigations
• Draft land units — establish map boundaries on geomorphic critera, seperate flat and rolling areas from hill and steepland etc
• Collect comprehensive data on all inventory factors
• Collect additional soil data
• Compile secondary inventory map units and establish data listing
• Audit the draft LUC survey data
• Liase with local professionals and landholders to gather local knowledge

Synthesis

• Collate survey results for reporting (maps and legends, a GIS database, publications)

Implementation

• Resulting survey outputs are used for planning and decision making

Local Government consists of territorial authorities, regional and unitary councils. These include:

• 11 regional councils,
• 61 territorial authorities:
  • 11 are city councils,
  • 50 are district councils,
  • 6 unitary councils which are territorial authorities with regional council responsibilities also.

Regional Councils

Regional Councils have a key role under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) which gives them the integrated management of the natural and physical resources of a region.

Regional Councils enforce:

• Land Use Consents;
• Subdivision Consent;
• Coastal Permits;
• Water Permits;
• Discharge Permits.

Some of what the Regional Councils look after are to do with discharges to land, water, and air; water takes;

• land disturbance;
• vegetation clearance;
• coastal.

If the activity does not comply with the permitted activity rules of the Regional Plan a resource consent is required. Regional Councils and Territorial Authorities are responsible for resource consents (RC) and a requirement for a RC application may be to provide a map of the activity area.