Volume One 13. Use of the Coastal Environment Sound comprise a transportation route of national significance for shipping activity. It is therefore important to recognise the strategic importance of this route and the need for it to be sustainably managed. This route has been identified by the Council in the MEP as a ‘National Transportation Route’ and rules apply to ships operating along this route. [RPS, C] Policy 13.14.3 – Ensure the following existing ports, marinas and community/commercial jetties/landing areas continue to provide links between land transport modes and water transport to the Marlborough Sounds and beyond: (a) ports of Picton and Havelock; (b) port landing areas at Oyster Bay (Port Underwood) and Elaine Bay (Tennyson Inlet); (c) Picton, Havelock and Waikawa marinas; and (d) jetties and landing areas in Torea Bay and Onahau Bay (Queen Charlotte Sound), Elmslie Bay (French Pass), Kapowai Bay (d’Urville Island) and Portage, Te Mahia and Waitaria Bay (Kenepuru Sound). The linkages between the different modes of transport provided by the existing ports, marinas and community/commercial jetties and port landing areas contribute significantly to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of Marlborough. In Picton, Waikawa and Havelock, infrastructure is well-established and provides important links between road and rail forms of transport and the various forms of water transportation. In Chapter 4 - Use of Natural and Physical Resources, this infrastructure has been identified as regionally significant. The jetties and port landing areas identified in b) and d) are recognised by the Council as necessary and strategic links in Marlborough’s transport network and are also very important to local communities. [RPS, C] Objective 13.15 – The efficient and safe use of the coastal marine area for water transportation. Activities within the coastal marine area, including surface water activities and the placement of structures, have the potential to affect the efficiency and safe use of the coastal marine area for water transportation. Safety is mainly covered by other legislation (the Local Government Act 2002, the Building Act 1991 and the Maritime Transport Act 1994). However, the RMA is also concerned with safety and navigation issues, through part of its purpose in Section 5 in “enabling people to provide for... their health and safety.” Therefore an objective seeking efficiency and safety outcomes for water transportation is appropriate, particularly as the use of water transport has been identified as contributing significantly to social, economic and cultural wellbeing in Marlborough. [RPS, C] Policy 13.15.1 – Activities and/or structures along the National Transportation Route shall be sited and/or undertaken in such a way that adverse effects on the safety and efficiency of ships transiting this route are avoided. The significance of the National Transportation Route for the economic and social wellbeing of Marlborough and for New Zealand has been recognised in Policy 13.14.2. It is important therefore that the safety and efficiency of ships using this part of the coastal marine area is not adversely affected. This will be a major consideration in the assessment of activities and structures proposed to be located or carried out at any point along the route. [C] Policy 13.15.2 – Avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects on water transportation by: (a) maintaining safe, clear navigation routes around headlands, unimpeded by structures; 13 – 41