Proposed regional coastal plan: Kermadec and Subantarctic Islands

The Proposed Regional Coastal Plan: Kermadec and Subantarctic Islands was publicly notified on 15 January 2011. Copy available under other documents below.

The purpose of the proposed regional coastal plan is to promote the sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the coastal marine area of the Kermadec and Subantarctic Islands. The two key threats to these island groups are from biosecurity breaches and oil spills. However, the offshore islands are so remote and in such rough seas that a response to either type of event will be very challenging. Given the significant natural values, a precautionary approach focussing on prevention, is critical.

Sixteen submissions were received. Copies of the summary of submissions, the submissions themselves, and the officer's report are available below. The hearing was held 20 and 21 June 2011, adjourned to allow further discussion between the parties, and re-convened on 15 November 2011.

The Commissioner's decisions on all submissions was notified on 2 May 2012. Copies of the Commissioner's decisions and the Proposed Plan as amended by the decisions are available in the following link. There is a 30 working day period for submitters to appeal the decision/s to the Environment Court.

• Decisions on submissions in order of submitter (PDF, 704K)
• Decisions on submissions as per section of the Proposed Plan (PDF, 663K)
• Decisions version of Proposed Regional Coastal Plan: Kermadec and Subantarctic Islands (PDF, 4009K)

Hull inspections

The proposed plan requires vessels intending to go inside 1000m from mean high water springs of the islands to have a clean hull.

Hull inspections can be undertaken in dry dock or in the water. The hull inspection form below must be completed during an inspection and sent to DOC prior to departure. A list of dive and dry dock service providers approved by the Minister of Conservation to undertake those inspections is also provided below.

If there is not a dive service provider near the point of departure for a vessel, or for any other reason you wish to use one that is not on the list, you can request an alternative service provider be added to the list. To be approved the inspectors must be:

1. Independent from the vessel owner/operator/company; and
2. Be qualified construction divers. Divers must fulfil the requirements laid down in the H&S in Employment Regulations 1995. In particular they must hold a current certificate of competence for the category of diving required (Part III, 27) and meet the 'requirements of diver' (Part III, 32). All inspection work and cleaning are defined in the Regulations as 'Construction Work'.

Please ensure sufficient time is allowed for any proposed providers to be checked/confirmed prior to requiring them to carry out an inspection.

• Hull inspection form (Word, 83K) and (PDF, 51K)
• Coastal permit application form (Word, 41K) and (PDF, 33K)
• Approved dive and dry dock service providers (PDF, 42K)

Yellow-eyed penguin, Auckland Islands

Officer's reports

• Officer's report submitter by submitters (including further submissions) (PDF, 5,200K)
• Officer's report section by section of the plan (PDF, 5,200K)

Note: these are large files and may take some time to download.

Summary of submissions

Summary of submissions (PDF, 2,358K)
Note: this is a large file and may take some time to download.

Submissions

All submissions (PDF, 7,166K)
Note: this is a large file and may take some time to download.

Individual submissions

• New Zealand Defence Force (PDF, 54K)
• Southland Conservation Board (PDF, 115K)
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust (PDF, 776K)
• Talley's Group Limited (PDF, 485K)
• The Seafood Industry Council (PDF, 376K)
• Sanford (PDF, 610K)
• Deepwater Group (PDF, 1,864K)
• Forest & Bird (PDF, 569K)
• Andy Dodd (PDF, 69K)
• Southern Lakes Helicopters (PDF, 33K)
• Te Runanga Nui o Te Aupouri Trust (PDF, 207K)
• Heritage Expeditions (PDF, 942K)
• Heritage Expeditions (PDF, 582K)
  An independent review prepared for Heritage Expedition by Tourism Resource Consultants
• New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (PDF, 245K)
• Te Ohu Kaimoana (PDF, 61K)
• The Minister of Conservation (PDF, 383K)
• The University of Otago (PDF, 97K)

Other documents

• Proposed regional coastal plan: Kermadec and Subantarctic islands (PDF, 4,355K)
• Section 32 report (PDF, 1,006K)
• Development of a template for vessel hull inspections and assessment of biosecurity risk to the Kermadec and Subantarctic Islands regions (PDF, 877K)
• Technical maritime advice for the preparation of a regional coastal plan for New Zealand's off-shore islands (PDF, 159K)

These documents can also be viewed between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday at the following office:

National Office
Phone:	+64 4 471 0726
Email:
Full office details

Further information

Sarah Hucker
Senior Planner
Department of Conservation, Wellington
+64 4 471 0726
shucker@doc.govt.nz

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