Ngunguru

Summary

This Structure Plan is intended as a concept for the local Ngunguru area, integrating the protection, use and development of land and resources and setting out how to implement the Coastal Management Strategy vision and mission statements at a local level. In other words, it is a broad physical plan identifying areas for growth, protection, infrastructure and other community requirements over the next 20 years. The Structure Plan was adopted by Council in February 2009.

Key elements

The Ngunguru Structure Plan identifies outcomes for living, working, playing and protecting the area. The key elements of the Structure Plan are as follows:

Development that provides protection of vegetation and landscape values in hills and backshore

Providing for some Living 3 expansion around the settlement areas, retaining and expanding the Coastal Countryside Environments surrounding the settlement, particularly where there are identified vegetation and landscape values. Establishing bush protection in subdivision, use and development, recognising the contribution that this bush has to the natural character and sense of place of the area. Reserve expansion along coastal margins.

Clustered residential and commercial settlement at Ngunguru

Providing for some expansion of the ‘Living 1’ Environment in areas of existing settlement but only with provision of appropriate utility services (e.g. particularly wastewater). Providing for ‘larger lot’ residential development in surrounding areas, subject to stormwater and flood management. Provide Coastal Countryside for rural surrounds with focus on riparian management for water quality of rivers.

Managing stormwater and flooding through the catchment

Stormwater management including reserves along stream / flood plains, increase culvert capacity and management of discharge at the beach.

Promoting the special lifestyle and character of area

Enhance pedestrian accessways (e.g. footpaths on at least one side of road).

Promote eco-tourism and coastal recreation activities

Provide facilities for people to ‘stop and stay’ in Ngunguru (not just on the road to Tutukaka). Discourage extension of coastal road north of Matapouri. Encourage recreation and eco-tourist activities in the area, including accommodation and recreation services.

Promote pedestrian activities in the community / commercial centre

Maintain the pedestrian accessways and footpaths on at least one side of streets. Enhance walkway linkages between Ngunguru and Tutukaka (Whangaumu Bay).

Encourage economic rural activities in surrounding Countryside and Coastal Countryside

Provide appropriate environment for ‘rural’ economic activities in surrounding hills while encouraging riparian management and protection of water quality.

Recognise the importance of the natural character and quality of the coastal marine area for tourism and eco-tourism

Promote the development of a heritage area on Ngunguru Spit, with reserve status, improved signage and information on cultural sites and features.

Providing network of walkways, unformed tracks, recreation access points and linkages through the area and the coastline west and east

Formalise coastal walkway around Ngunguru. Expand reserve and open space network along foreshore. Develop Ngunguru spit as reserve recognising heritage feature.

Recognise the active recreation and boating function of the Ngunguru area

Stormwater management for water quality in Ngunguru. Discourage Aquaculture Management Areas.

Recognising the vulnerability of the beach system to erosion.

Protection and maintenance of sea walls along Ngunguru, including management of stormwater discharge. Encourage planting and revegetation of esplanade reserve areas.

Recognise and maintain the recreation values of the coastal marine area

Provide for boat ramp development and trailer-boating at Ngunguru and identify required landside facilities (including parking). Encourage active marine reserve activities (water skiing etc) up-river of settlement and mooring areas.

Maintain the coastal road as a ‘scenic’ experience, promoting pedestrian friendly access

Speed restrictions within Ngunguru settlement area, through the development of a traffic management plan for the settlement area.

Enhanced water quality in the Ngunguru River and estuary

Reserve expansion along coast and river margins and encourage riparian planting. Coastal Countryside along estuary encouraging vegetation protection and earthworks control. Discourage development of AMA’s in area. Comprehensive stormwater management planning and where appropriate low impact catchment planning for stormwater (e.g. grass swales and planting of the shoreline). Reticulated wastewater in residential areas.

Maintain and enhance important bush and habitat

Encourage pet management through education and awareness campaigns, particularly for the control of cats and dogs in the area. Encouraging bush protection on private land and riparian management. Prioritise weed management along Council Roads (e.g. Ngunguru Road).

Promote the long term protection and maintenance of Ngunguru spit as a reserve

Protect significant outlooks and coastal margins viewed from the sea and other key public vantage points (including the road)

Expansion of the reserve network and encourage bush protection / enhancement.

Protect and manage impacts on waahi tapu and other sites of significance to tangata whenua

Increase consultation with tangata whenua and encourage the establishment of guidelines for protection of waahi tapu site and areas.  

Follow the links below to view the complete document and accompanying map.

Ngunguru Structure Plan [654kb] Full version.
Structure Plan map [1268kb]