Wairau/Awatere Resource Management Plan The principal land uses include: Horticulture, viticulture, mixed farming, export lamb production, cereal production, small seeds production, the production of process crops (mainly peas) for food processing, dairy farming, intensive cropping (e.g. garlic) and the growing of corn. In managing the resources of the Wairau Plain provision should be made for the following: • Protection of rural amenity values; • Control of the effects of residential, commercial and industrial development in the rural area; • Safeguarding of water resources; • Giving priority to floodplain management where appropriate; • Drainage; • Maintenance of a rural landscape; • Mitigating the adverse effects of intensive land use activity; and • Sustainable management of the land resource, including the life supporting capacity and primary production potential, of its soils. 12.2.1.1 Sustainable Management of the life supporting capacity of the land and its soils. The soils of this part of the District have proven to be quite productive (ie soils favoured by their close proximity to good water resources, population and favoured by mild climatic conditions) compared with some other districts. Even in areas where soil profiles which are relatively shallow, the life supporting capacity supplemented by irrigation has enabled high value intensive production to succeed. The primary production potential of the land depends on the way in which it is managed and used. Good sustainable land management practice retains production options and improves production potential while protecting the environment. Subdivision and use of small rural lots for principally residential activities can result in substantial areas of the lots being covered by buildings, impervious surfaces and unproductive investment. A reduction in allotment sizes may reduce production options, which is why a Controlled Activity minimum allotment size of 8 hectares for the Wairau Plain has been in place for over 20 years. The increase in property values resulting from subdivision and residential development can make the long-term utilisation of the life supporting capacity of the soils unlikely. In addition, activities such as topsoil removal or turf production can adversely affect the life supporting capacity of those versatile soils. The Council recognises that there will be a continued demand for properties for intensive primary productive use and that specific provision should be made for rural/ residential lifestyles in this part of the district. 12.2.1.2 Protection of rural amenity values. Rural areas are the setting for a range of activities which result in levels of noise, dust, smell and traffic generation which will often be contrary to the expectations of people more used to the amenity of urban areas. 12 - 2