Chapter 10 - Urban Environments Picton The residential requirements for Picton relate closely to the role and the ‘gateway’ tradition of the town. In addition, the trends outlined above and the future vision for the town, by its residents, will impact greatly on any future residential requirements. The supply of suitably serviced land for residential development in Picton and Waikawa is severely limited by natural hazards of flooding and land instability. There is limited scope for expansion of the settled urban area because it is physically contained by steep hills. Any significant expansion onto these hills would also detract from the important scenic backdrop to the towns. For this reason it is intended to recognise the extent of the existing development and future infill development within Picton and Waikawa by appropriate zoning in the Plan. For reasons of service capacity, landscape protection, and natural hazard constraints, urban expansion will not be provided for in the Plan. The geographical constraints of Picton and Waikawa, form a natural urban fence. Havelock Residential activity in Havelock stems from the historical roles of the township. Located at the head of the Pelorus Sound, Havelock serves a significant role as the port and service town for the fishing and marine farming industries of this part of the Sounds. The recent population growth for Havelock, identified by the 1986 census, may in part be attributable to the success and continuing growth of the marine farming industry in the Pelorus Sounds area. Havelock is by no means merely a fishing town. It serves as a farming service centre for the rural area which surrounds the town. The significant forestry development in the Marlborough Sounds and Pelorus and Kaituna catchments no doubt impacts on the Havelock township. Furthermore, the Havelock harbour is an important resource for the growing numbers of recreational boat users in the area. It provides a launching ramp, a marina, and marine services for boaties. Located on State Highway 6, the main road between Picton/Blenheim and Nelson, Havelock is a popular rest stop for passing motorists. These roles, and the many others which Havelock fills, encouraged the residents of Havelock to live there. A number of people simply choose to live, and often retire, in Havelock because it is a sunny, peaceful spot by the sea. This is expected to continue in the future with a gradual increase in the residential requirements for Havelock envisaged. In recognising this it is important to recognise any possible limits to future urban residential growth which might exist in Havelock. The extent of urban residential growth in Havelock is largely constrained by the capacity of its reticulated sewage treatment system and the limited availability of flood-free flat land. There is some capacity for infill residential development within the urban area of Havelock (which would absorb the capacity of the sewage treatment system). It is intended to recognise the historically zoned area as suitable for infill development and moderate expansion at Havelock. 10 - 5