We’re reviewing the rules around development in natural hazard-prone areas as part of our regular reviews of the District Plan.
In 2022, we sought your feedback on an early version of these changes. We formally consulted on the changes having responded to the feedback received.
In May 2023 Plan Change 1 was formally notified and a hearing was held in February 2024. Independent Hearing Commissioners were appointed to hear submissions.
The hearings commissioners have made their recommendation on submissions and these recommendations have been adopted by Council. Plan change 1 is now at Decision Version stage and has legal effect.
To see the most up to date information on this plan change, please click on the sections above.
What changes are being proposed?
The proposed Natural Hazards rules are designed to reduce the risk to people and property from development in areas at risk of natural hazards.
Decision Version Natural Hazards Chapter(PDF, 681KB)
What does this mean for my property?
The new rules will not affect existing buildings or property, unless you plan to make changes to them.
As of 4 December 2024 the rules in Plan Change 1 have legal effect because decisions have been made on submissions.
If you are proposing to make changes to your property, then you must consider the Plan Change 1 rules alongside the Operative District Plan rules. New development will need to comply with both sets of rules or apply for resource consent.
The appeal period is now open. The operative rules will need to be considered alongside the Plan Change 1 rules until appeals have closed because the provisions could still be subject to some changes.
Key dates
Any resource consent applications lodged on or after 31 May 2023 will need to have regard to the proposed objectives and policies of Plan Change 1.
Any applications lodged on or after 4 December 2024 will need to be assessed against the Decision Version Plan Change 1 rules as well as the Operative District Plan.
Natural hazard maps
You can see if a natural hazard is mapped on your property in the District Plan.
- Open the Decision natural hazard maps in GIS (wdc.maps.arcgis.com)
Look for the magnifying glass icon. Type your property address into the search bar.
To see what the different colours on the map means, you can view the legend by clicking the legend icon.
To turn some parts of the map on or off, select the layers icon and then toggle each layer on 
or off 
.
More information on the natural hazard types that are identified on the Plan Change 1 District Plan maps can be found below.
Coastal erosion and coastal flooding
Coastal erosion happens when land is worn away (suddenly or over time) by coastal processes such as waves, tidal currents and storm events.
Coastal flooding happens when low-lying areas become submerged under sea water, often due to storm surges generated by large storms.
Coastal hazard reports
The Northland Regional Council holds the most recent reports relating to coastal hazards:
Coastal hazard assessment reports (nrc.govt.nz)
These coastal hazards reports have informed the mapping that is proposed to be included in the Natural Hazards plan change.
Land instability
Land instability hazards, or landslides, result from factors such as:
- heavy rainfall,
- excessive weight,
- excavation,
- vegetation clearance,
- natural weathering,
- and erosion.
Land instability reports
The following technical reports relate to the mapped instability hazards.
Urban Land Stability Hazards for Te Kamo, Maunu, Onerahi, Otaika and Tikipunga(PDF, 386KB)
Urban Land Stability Hazards for Hikurangi, mid-Kensington, Whangarei City Centre and East Te Kamo(PDF, 836KB)
Urban Land Stability Hazards for Kensington, Morningside and Port(PDF, 203KB)
Coastal Slope Instability Hazards for Ōakura to Langs Beach(PDF, 549KB)
Landslide Susceptibility Technical Report 2020(PDF, 8MB)
Flooding
Flooding is caused by high-intensity rain causing run-off, the overflowing of streams and rivers, or a combination of the two.
River flood hazard reports
The Northland Regional Council holds the most recent reports relating to river flooding.
Region-wide river catchments analysis - technical reports (nrc.govt.nz)
These reports have informed the mapping that is proposed to be included in the Natural Hazards plan change.
The following documents contain information on the recommendations from the Hearing Panel, the Decision version of Plan Change 1 Provisions, Council’s decision and how to lodge an appeal with the Environment Court.
Council's Decision and Appeal information