Thursday 28 May 2026
Otago residents will soon get a chance to have their say on the future of Otago’s Coast, as well as gaining a better understanding of coastal water quality and risks such as natural hazards.
Otago Regional Councillors yesterday approved community engagement on coastal issues and opportunities for the region as part of preparation for future resource management system requirements.
Portfolio lead for Policy and Planning, Councillor Kate Wilson says “Otago’s coast presents environmental, cultural, social, recreational and economic opportunities and challenges. As well as challenges such as natural hazard risk and habitat modification, there are opportunities such as tourism and aquaculture.
“We have some data and scientific information to support spatial planning and management of the Otago Coast, and it’s also important to hear from the public and community groups who can deepen our understanding through the valuable information they have from their own knowledge and experiences.”
Councillors agreed to start public engagement to inform an issues and opportunities report which can be used to inform the new resource management system requirements, including future regional spatial plan and coastal provisions in a new natural environment plan.
“This work reflects the Council’s priority action to progress work to understand coastal environmental issues, opportunities and risks, in partnership with communities, to ensure a strong evidence base is available regardless of future regulatory settings,” Cr Wilson says.
Feedback will be sought on a range of topics, including natural hazards and climate change, biodiversity, water quality, public access, port activities and aquaculture. The Council is also keen to hear issues with the existing Coastal Plan, and current, emerging, and future challenges for managing the coastal environment.
Public engagement will start in July and will include opportunities for people to share their views at in-person events. More information will be shared closer to the time.
The operative Regional Plan: Coast for Otago (Coast Plan) was notified in 1994 and is overdue for a review. The Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 identifies a review of the Coast Plan as a key task, with targets of issues and options papers reported to Council by mid-2026, and notification of a new Coast Plan by mid-2028.
The reform of the resource management system and the requirement to halt plan changes mean that the LTP targets will no longer be achievable. But regardless of the regulatory framework, it is important for Council to have an up-to-date understanding of both the issues and opportunities, and what has and has not worked in the existing Coast Plan to be ready for the short timeframes required in the new Bills to prepare spatial plans.
