Volume One 1. Introduction 1. Introduction In Marlborough, quality of life and wellbeing are very much dependent on how we use, develop and protect our natural and physical resources such as the coast, soils, rivers, groundwater, air, landscape, towns, roads, infrastructure, biodiversity and so on. The use or development of natural resources, including land, freshwater and coastal water, also provides for social, cultural and economic wellbeing. We all know that our very existence and desire to develop and grow as a community can compromise the things that make our life in Marlborough special. Dealing with the pressures surrounding how we use our resources is challenging, especially as we have differing views about how Marlborough’s natural and physical resources should be looked after. It is therefore important that the best interests of the environment as a whole be the guiding factor in achieving sustainable management. We need to be concerned with the long-term implications of how we respond to change, ensuring that future generations and their quality of life is not limited by the decisions or actions (or inaction) we make today. How we use, develop and protect Marlborough’s resources is governed to a large extent by the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The RMA’s single purpose is to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources. 5 Purpose (1) The purpose of this Act is to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources. (2) In this Act, sustainable management means managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources in a way, or at a rate, which enables people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural well-being and for their health and safety while— (a) sustaining the potential of natural and physical resources (excluding minerals) to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations; and (b) safeguarding the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil, and ecosystems; and (c) avoiding, remedying, or mitigating any adverse effects of activities on the environment. In achieving the purpose of the RMA, the Marlborough District Council (the Council) must have regard to a number of principles set out in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of the RMA. Section 6 requires the Council to recognise and provide for matters of national importance. These include matters in relation to: • the natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands, lakes and rivers; • outstanding natural features and landscapes; • areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna; • public access to and along the coastal marine area, rivers and lakes; • the relationship of Maori with their ancestral land and sites; • historic heritage; and • protected customary rights. 1 – 1