Volume One 12. Urban Environments capacity, efficiency and affordability of essential infrastructure services is not exceeded or compromised. [D] Policy 12.9.1 – Encourage connections to public or community reticulated water supply systems, sewerage and stormwater management systems wherever they are available. The Council will encourage the subdivider/developer to connect properties created through the subdivision of land to essential infrastructure services if they are available. This will act to maintain community wellbeing and public health. In some circumstances a connection may be able to be achieved with the minimal provision of additional infrastructure within the subdivision. In other circumstances, particularly for subdivision creating a large number of allotments, additional infrastructure may be required as part of the subdivision or an upgrade to existing infrastructure may be required. In some locations, such as the small towns of Ward and Rai Valley, not all infrastructure services are provided. If there is a future need to service these towns due to adverse effects on the environment, the Policy 12.9.3 will apply. [D] Policy 12.9.2 – Ensure that in an area with public water supply and/or sewerage infrastructure, subdivision and development activities only occur where they will not exceed the current or planned capacity of that public infrastructure or compromise its ability to service any activities permitted by rules within a relevant urban environment zone. This policy signals the need for an infrastructure network that is capable of servicing Marlborough’s towns. Subdivision, use and development within the urban environments require essential infrastructure services to be provided. Some areas are serviced more easily than others, which will minimise costs to the community and the use of natural and physical resources, and is likely to be the most efficient form of servicing for the community as a whole. [D] Policy 12.9.3 – Responding to a need for infrastructure services to currently unserviced towns will be undertaken through the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002. Unserviced communities have the potential to give rise to adverse effects on the surrounding environment. These adverse effects include: • high demand on surface water or groundwater resources; • the discharge of sewage, trade waste and stormwater degrading soil quality or water quality in the receiving environment; • the discharge or runoff of stormwater inundating other properties or causing erosion; and • constraints on the movement of people and goods within the community. In circumstances where there is a need to respond to these adverse effects, the Council will use the special consultative procedure of the Local Government Act 2002 to determine the appropriateness of establishing new infrastructural services. [D] Policy 12.9.4 – Where as a result of a subdivision or development there is a requirement for connections to Council/community owned infrastructure services, the local electricity supply network and telecommunication facilities, a subdivider/developer should provide confirmation that the site is capable of being serviced and that the arrangements proposed by the applicant are suitable. Where land proposed to be subdivided is to be serviced through connection with existing essential infrastructure, it is important to establish whether there is the capability to make this connection 12 – 25