887 Managed ecological areas, response

1. Do you have further attributes (i.e. criteria) which supports this spatial data that you could provide?

We have not found any GIS attributes that sit behind the mapped spatial data.

2. What year was the Managed Ecological Areas created?

The Sites of Natural Significance (SONS) in our Operative District Plan were included with the Proposed District Plan when it was notified under the RMA in 1997.

3. What method was used with identifying these areas?

Based on the records we have been able to find, it appears as though the sites were principally identified from the information sources listed in Appendix I of the District Plan (attached with this response).  

In early 1995 the Department of Conservation advised Council of a number of sites throughout the district identified by the Department through various surveys and programmes such as the Protected Natural Areas Programme (PNAP), which were nominated as constituting ‘significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna’.

Consultation with landowners took place alongside fieldwork to assess / re-assess the sites in 1995/96 which may have been altered since the original PNAP survey.

4. Are you intending on updating your Managed Ecological Areas? If so, when?

There is currently no work programme to update the SONS appendix.   

5. Please advise if there is associated data that is not or should not be publicly available?

Non applicable

6. Does your Council have any additional Managed Ecological Areas that are not mapped in your District Plan?

Council has some reports prepared for SONS that are not currently in the Operative District Plan. However, it should be noted that these reports have not been peer reviewed, and it appears there has been no consultation with landowners. The reports may no longer be accurate and do not reflect more recent changes in this space such as the NPS-IB.