Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan The Council will liaise with Tranz Rail Limited in relation to issues and activities having an adverse effect on the rail network. Liaison The Council will continue to liaise with Central Government in terms of national initiatives to monitor and reduce overall emissions affecting the atmosphere and the Government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by the year 2000. The Council will forward copies of resource consents and subdivisions of land adjacent to state highways to Transit New Zealand to ensure that any adverse effects on the safe and efficient operation of the state highway network are able to be identified and avoided, remedied, or mitigated as appropriate using either the Resource Management Act 1991 or the Transit New Zealand Act 1989. The Council will forward copies of resource consents and subdivisions of land adjacent to the Main Trunk Railway Line to Tranz Rail Limited to ensure that any adverse effects on the safe and efficient operation of the railway line are able to be identified and avoided, remedied, or mitigated as appropriate using the Resource Management Act. The Council intends to continue to work with New Zealand Police Traffic Safety Service, transport operators and Transit New Zealand to minimise the incidence of accidental spillage onto roads. The Council is the agency with primary responsibility for the district’s road infrastructure, including facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Changes to the road network will occur primarily through new subdivision and development. Given the importance of land transport infrastructure to the community, Plan rules and resource consent applications are considered to be the only way to ensure appropriate location and alignment of new roads and to ensure consistent high standards in the design and construction of new roads and other transport infrastructure. Designation of public works including transport infrastructure and facilities is a method available under the Act. The Council will consider notices of proposed new designated transport works in terms of the objectives and policies of the Plan. The Plan specifies the standards to be met and subdividers and developers can employ whatever methods are appropriate to meet those standards. The Council is able to offer the Code of Practice for Subdivision and Land Development as a means of compliance with specified standards. The Council will continue, in association with other agencies, to improve infrastructure and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and public transport passengers and will continue to maintain and improve the safety and efficiency of the road network. The Plan recognises existing roads through designations. New and extended roads will be considered on their merits as new designations and be assessed in terms of the policies of the Plan relating to environmental quality. 18 - 10