Chapter 5 - Landscape 5.0 Landscape 5.1 Introduction The Wairau/ Awatere area is made up of many different landscapes. It is the diversity of Marlborough’s indigenous, working and built landscapes that give it and its inhabitants their identity. The indigenous landscape is composed of the unmodified alpine and mountain grasslands, native forests in the north and western ranges, and unaltered beaches and bays. Other areas include those dominated by indigenous vegetation, such as oversown tussock grasslands, native trees and shrub species, and coastal plant associations. The working landscape is composed of the dynamic rural landscape utilised for primary production, including both land and water based activities. It is predominantly composed of introduced species such as pine forests, pasture grasses, vineyards, arable and horticultural crops, mussels and salmon. The working landscape includes structures and associated activities involved in creating economic benefits from the use of land and water. Fences, tracks, sheds, rafts, and other structures all form part of the character of the working landscape. The built landscape includes towns and settlements ranging from Blenheim, the major town, to small communities such as Rarangi. These landscapes are dominated by buildings, roads, and utilities such as telecommunication facilities, power and street lighting reticulation. The boundaries between these landscapes are not absolute and consequently there is overlap between them when managing landscape at the regional level. In addition, the dynamic landscapes and seascapes of the coastal environment are important components of natural character and amenity values. Landscapes and seascapes are the visual expression of physical, biological and cultural processes both past and present. The landscape is dynamic. Buildings, tree planting, land use activities and roading can all change the character of an area, be it the aesthetic or cultural value or the intrinsic value it provides for much social, recreation and economic value. Section 6(b) of the Resource Management Act 1991 (the Act) requires that provision be made in this Plan for “the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use and development.” The Marlborough Regional Policy Statement develops this further in Policy 8.1.3 “avoid, remedy or mitigate the damage of identified outstanding landscape features arising from the effects of excavation, disturbance of vegetation, or erection of structures.” Just as important is the need to encourage appropriate development within the working landscape. 5.2 Resources and Values At a coarse level the Plan area is made up of the bush clad mountains, hills and valleys of the Richmond Range, the large river valleys of the Wairau and Awatere, the high 5 - 1