9. Public Access and Open Space Volume One [D] Policy 9.1.10 – The creation of esplanade reserves, esplanade strips or access strips will be a significant means of enhancing public access to and along the coastal marine area, rivers and lakes. By providing for public ownership, management of or access to the margins of the coast and other waterbodies, esplanade areas are an important mechanism for achieving the goals of the RMA in terms of public access. The RMA specifically provides for esplanade areas as one method of providing public access and enabling public recreational use of them. The RMA provides three tiers of esplanade areas: esplanade reserves, esplanade strips and access strips. Esplanade reserves or esplanade strips can be taken in accordance with Part 10 of the RMA (Subdivision and Reclamation) or as a financial contribution under Section 108 of the RMA. Access strips can be established at any time by agreement between the landowner and the Council. [D] Policy 9.1.11 – An esplanade reserve to be taken for public access purposes will be preferred to an esplanade strip or access strip in the following circumstances: (a) for those sites that adjoin existing esplanade reserves or other reserves vested in either the Marlborough District Council or Crown; (b) where the site adjoins the coastal marine area; or (c) where the site is or is likely to be a high use area. There are some circumstances where the Council may believe, for public access purposes, that a greater level of control and management is warranted along the margins of the coast, lakes and rivers. This is particularly so where the Council may want to carry out enhancement works such as placement of tracks or landscaping. This will be easier to achieve if the Council has ownership of the land. The Council is also able to transfer ownership of an esplanade reserve to the Crown. This has occurred previously in the Marlborough Sounds, where esplanade reserves are largely owned by the Crown and managed by the Department of Conservation as the Sounds Foreshore Reserve. This ownership enables the Department to manage in an integrated manner access to the foreshore for the general public as well as for residents and bach owners with adjoining land. [D] Policy 9.1.12 – In considering whether to waive the requirement for, or to reduce/increase the width of an esplanade reserve or esplanade strip of 20 metres in width, the Marlborough District Council shall have regard to: (a) whether the application is in an area identified as having a high degree of importance for public access, as set out in Policy 9.1.1; and (b) the width required to effectively provide physical access along the waterbody; while taking into account the following special circumstances: (c) whether significant ecological, conservation or cultural values exist that may be incompatible if general public access to the site is allowed; (d) whether significant ecological or conservation values warrant a wider esplanade reserve or esplanade strip; (e) whether topography renders the 20 metre width inadequate or excessive for public access; (f) whether the site is in an urban zone, where a reduced width of esplanade reserves/strips to 8 metres is generally considered sufficient; (g) whether the provision of public access along the esplanade reserve or esplanade strip would result in health or safety risks to the public using the reserve or strip; and 9 – 6