Port Noise Variation 07/01

Awaiting commissioners' decision

Hearings took place the week of 26 May and on 3 July. The Hearing Commissioners are now deliberating and final decisions are anticipated within a few months.

A summary of all submissions received during the initial and further consultation phase is available for download.

Click here to download the Summary of Submissions (PDF @ 285KB).

Information for property owners affected by noise from Port Nelson

An information sheet is available for owners of residential properties affected by noise from Port Nelson who may be contemplating building new dwellings, doing alterations, or renovations.

The information will assist you to understand the new rules (Proposed Variation 07/01) that the Council has introduced to the Nelson Resource Management Plan.

Download information on the new rules for the Port Noise Variation 07/01 (PDF @ 250KB).

Background

The Council is proposing to make some changes to the Nelson Resource Management Plan (NRMP) to manage port noise.  The changes are called Proposed Variation 07/01. The Variation is fully explained in two documents that are available from Civic House in Trafalgar Street. These are called Proposed Variation 07/01-Port Noise Volume One – Plan Amendments and Volume Two – Section 32 Evaluation. A volume of Appendices is also available, and can be purchased for $75.60 + GST.

Council has been consulting with the community and industry on port noise since 1998. There are currently appeals before the Environment Court on the matter and both residents and businesses have at times been unhappy with the existing rules.  That has prompted Council to propose the changes.

What the Variation is about

The variation stems from the approach taken at Port Chalmers with adjustments made to suit the Nelson situation.

It is a fresh approach that offers flexibility for port operations and requires the Port Operator to be responsible for managing and minimising noise in the surrounding neighbourhood. It involves the preparation and use of:

• A Port Noise Management Plan, and
• A Port Noise Mitigation Plan, and
• A Port Noise Liaison Committee

The Port Noise Management Plan will include procedures for reducing noise through staff training, noise modelling, monitoring, auditing, reporting procedures, and complaint handling procedures.

The Port Noise Mitigation Plan will provide mitigation for dwellings such as noise insulation and ventilation in affected residential areas around the Port.

The Port Noise Liaison Committee will include representatives from the Port Hills residents and it will investigate complaints and determine new ways to minimise noise generated at the Port.

Where the Variation may be inspected

Variation 07/01, together with the accompanying ‘Section 32 Evaluation’ is available for public inspection at:

• Nelson City Council Planning Counter, Ground Floor, 100 Trafalgar Street, Nelson.
• Elma Turner Library, Halifax Street, Nelson.
• Nightingale Library Memorial, Rocks Road, Tahunanui.
• Stoke Library, Putaitai Street, Stoke

Click here to download Port Noise Variation amendments (PDF 400KB)

Click here to download the Section 32 Evaluation (PDF @ 700KB).

Obtaining a copy of the Variation

Copies of Variation 07/01 and the ‘Section 32 Evaluation’ may be obtained from the Planning Counter at Nelson City Council, Ground Floor, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson, or by phoning the Planning Assistant on +64 3 546 0388, or by emailing Planning Assistant Environmental Policy.  The volume of Appendices can be purchased for $75.60 excluding GST by contacting the Planning Assistant.

Public participation process

After the closing date for submissions (7 September 2007), the Nelson City Council prepares a summary of the submissions and this summary must be publicly notified; and there must be an opportunity to make a further submission in support of, or in opposition to, the submissions already made, and if a person making a submission asks to be heard in support of his or her submission, a hearing must be held; and the Nelson City Council must give its decision on the Variation (including its reasons for accepting or rejecting submissions); and any person who has made a submission has the right to appeal the decision on the proposal to the Environment Court.

Contact

If you have any queries, please contact Planning Assistant Environmental Policy, +64 3 546 0388.

Noise Complaints

Please note that any complaints relating to noise at Port Nelson should be directed to Environmental Services Ltd, by phoning Nelson City Council on +64 3 546 0200 anytime.