Volume One 13. Use of the Coastal Environment the strategic integration of infrastructure with land use given to the Council in Section 30 of the RMA. Port infrastructure has been especially identified as being regionally significant due its contribution to Marlborough’s social and economic wellbeing, health and safety. In particular, Picton has national significance. It is important therefore that this strategic infrastructure is able to operate efficiently, effectively and safely on an on-going basis for community wellbeing. In some cases, this may generate a need to manage activities occurring in the vicinity, but not connected with the operation of the port. An important aspect of implementing a resource management framework for Marlborough’s ports, marinas and port landing areas is to ensure that management occurs in an integrated way across the land/water interface. In this context it is also important that these facilities have clearly defined purposes to ensure efficient use is made of them. [RPS, C] Objective 13.17 – Enable the efficient operation of Marlborough’s ports and marinas. Given the contribution that the operation of ports and marinas make to Marlborough’s economic and social wellbeing, it is important that these facilities operate efficiently. This objective helps give effect to Policy 9 of the NZCPS, which recognises that a sustainable national transport system requires an efficient national network of safe ports to service national and international shipping with efficient connections with other transport modes. It also gives effect to Policy 6 of the NZCPS relating to activities in the coastal environment and the coastal marine area. The objective helps to achieve Section 7(b) of the RMA, where the Council is required to have regard to the efficient use and development of natural and physical resources. The objective also supports other policy within Chapter 4 of the MEP, which recognises that the ports and marinas of Picton, Havelock and Waikawa are regionally significant infrastructure. [C] Policy 13.17.1 – Specific areas are identified for activities related to the operation of ports, port landing areas and marinas through a Port Zone, Port Landing Area Zone and Marina Zone, respectively. The use of zones enables activities to occur in specific and established areas of both the coastal marine area and land regarded as appropriate for the operation of ports/port landing areas/marinas. The zoned areas are based in part on facilities that have existed for some time with largely known effects. Some additional areas have been zoned in recognition of a need for expanded facilities; for example, the port in Shakespeare Bay (which is part of the Port of Picton). Additionally, an area alongside the existing marina in Waikawa Bay remains undeveloped at notification of the MEP (9 June 2016), but has been zoned to provide opportunities in the future for additional berthage capacity. The varying nature of ports in Marlborough is reflected in the differences in zoning approach and subsequent rules. For example, marina facilities in Havelock are co-located with port facilities, while smaller port landing areas have different rules than those for Picton or Havelock. This policy also helps to achieve the NZCPS, especially Policy 4, regarding the integrated management of natural and physical resources in the coastal environment. [RPS, D] Policy 13.17.2 – Promote the efficient use of land available within ports and marinas. It is important that land associated with Marlborough’s ports and marinas is used to support these purposes, as physical constraints and environmental considerations in these areas may impact on further expansion. This helps give effect to Policy 10 of the NZCPS. While other activities may have similar effects to those connected with port or marina purposes, they could interfere with the efficient management of port or marina facilities and could potentially be inconsistent with the NZCPS. For ports, the policy gives effect to Policy 9 of the NZCPS. 13 – 47