Gunnell, S. 2018 A review of the land use planning requirements for landslide risk in the western Wellington region. Lower Hutt, N.Z.: GNS Science. GNS Science report 2018/17. 42 p.; doi: 10.21420/G2B34R
Abstract: While previous studies have assessed how earthquake hazards generally have been addressed by district plans in the Wellington region, this investigation considers more specifically how landslides and slope instability are planned for. The planning documents that were analysed are the Regional Policy Statement for the Wellington Region prepared by the Greater Wellington Regional Council and the district plans from the Upper Hutt City, Hutt City, Wellington City, Porirua City and Kāpiti Coast District councils. It was found that while the Regional Policy Statement provides a strong directive for managing natural hazard risk there remains a high level of inconsistency in the way the five district plans addressed landslide hazard. What also became apparent was that the risk from landslides or slope instability was often bundled with provisions relating to wider earthquake risks or earthworks. Amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991 in 2017 introduced a risk-based approach to planning for natural hazards, in recognition that the legislation previously has not resulted in a strong and consistent approach to managing the risks posed. With each of the district plans considered soon to be reviewed, the opportunity exists to introduce provisions to better manage the risk of landslides in the western Wellington region. (auth)
