SNAs are typically remnants of vegetation that were formally widespread and have high biodiversity value. They are critically important for preventing the extinction of rare species and ecosystems, allowing insects and birds to move across productive landscapes and as a source of the seeds, invertebrates and micro-organisms we need to effectively restore our native ecosystems.

Protecting SNA’s is important in ensuring the ongoing viability of biodiversity in the District, the wider region or at a national level. Due to this there are a number of legislative requirements for Council regarding SNAs.

Council is required to recognise and provide for the protection of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna under Section 6(c) of the Resource Management Act (RMA). Council is also required to maintain indigenous biodiversity under Section 31 of the RMA by managing activities that may cause damage.

The Council must also give effect to the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement 2013 (CRPS) which requires objectives, policies and rules to be included in the Proposed District Plan that identify and protect significant natural areas.

The CRPS also outlines criteria for determining what constitutes a significant natural area. For a site to be considered significant, it must meet at least one of the criterion outlined in the CRPS. To view this criteria, please view Appendix 3 of the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement.

We also note that the upcoming National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity, is likely to place further requirements on Councils around identifying and listing SNAs.

In order to protect their important values, the Proposed District Plan contains rules about how you can use the part of your land containing the SNA. Rules relating to SNAs took immediate legal effect (i.e. they applied) when the Proposed District Plan was notified; however they may change as a result of the submissions and hearing process.

Under the Proposed District Plan:

• Clearance of indigenous vegetation is restricted within both mapped SNAs and unmapped SNAs. However, there are specific allowances for certain activities, which is detailed in Rule ECO-R1.
• Mapped SNAs also have additional restrictions precluding the planting of exotic vegetation, plantation forestry, woodlots, or shelterbelts, limiting the planting of indigenous vegetation to vegetation ecologically appropriate for that SNA, and precluding irrigation within, or within 20m from, them.
• Work that falls outside of these rules will require a resource consent and in cases of non-compliant work, the Council can seek restoration of the SNA at the landowner’s expense.
• On-site development right incentives of either the right to either subdivide off a 1-2ha bonus lot (with allowance for a residential unit and minor residential unit) or the right to build an additional residential unit, in exchange for the protection and restoration of a mapped SNA are proposed. Note that these rules do not yet have legal effect. Find out more about these proposed on-site development right incentives.

Once decisions on the Proposed District Plan are issued, it will replace the Operative District Plan. During this review period, the provisions of both plans apply. In the Operative District Plan, the rules relating to SNAs, referred to as ‘Vegetation and Habitat Sites’.

Landowners with mapped SNAs can apply for the Council’s Biodiversity Contestable Fund, for funding to assist with activities that will support the protection and restoration of SNAs. Rates Grants may also be available to SNA owners - more information is available in the fact sheets below.

Landowners with mapped SNAs can apply for the Council’s Biodiversity Contestable Fund, for funding to assist with activities that will support the protection and restoration of SNAs.

The Council’s Ecologist can help with free advice and support with fencing, weed control, animal pest control, planting and restoration work, and help with applications for funding.

Council provides landowners of SNAs with rates relief, via a rates grant, as an acknowledgement of their contribution to protecting and maintaining the District’s indigenous biodiversity. The annual rates grant for SNAs goes towards the rates on properties that contain part or all of a mapped SNA listed in the Proposed District Plan. Find out more about this rates grant here.

The Proposed Waimakariri District Plan proposes on-site development right incentives of either the right to either subdivide off a 1-2ha bonus lot (with allowance for a residential unit and minor residential unit) or the right to build an additional residential unit, in exchange for the protection and restoration of a mapped SNA. Note that these rules do not yet have legal effect. Find out more about these proposed on-site development right incentives.