Possible plan numbering system
The following numbering system borrows from both conventional legislative drafting styles and the numbering system used in some New Zealand planning documents. Because plans may be divided up into parts and chapters and then issues, objectives, policies and rules, and the linkages between the latter need to be clearly shown, the ‘multiple decimal point’ style is adopted (the main point of difference from the numbering system used in legislation). This example is used for an issue-based plan that cascades from issues, to objectives, policies and then rules. Note that other plan formats cluster rules stemming from several issues, objectives or policies together in separate chapters.
Plan Part or Position in Provision Hierarchy |
Numbering Style |
Example |
|---|---|---|
Parts of the plan |
Capital Roman Numerals |
Part I: Plan Purpose |
Chapters |
Standard numbering prefixed by ‘Chapter’ 1, 2, 3 |
Chapter 6: Subdivision Issues |
Issues |
Standard numbering prefixed by ‘Issue’ 1, 2, 3 |
Issue 1: ‘Unmanaged wash-down of effluent from dairy sheds in XYZ can adversely affect the water quality in ABC river’. |
Objectives |
Standard numbering to two levels. For clarification the prefix ‘Objective’ can be added 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 |
Objective 1.2: There is no point source discharge of dairy shed effluent from drains in XYZ into the ABC River. |
Policies |
Standard numbering to three levels 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3 |
1.1.1: Dairy shed effluent in XYZ should be disposed of via… |
Rules |
Standard numbering to four levels 2.3.3.4, 2.3.3.5, 2.3.3.6 |
2.3.3.4 The maximum height of any building or structure in the XXX zone shall not exceed… |
Subsection or part of policy or rule (note these can also be used for lists provided such lists are not within a subsection or part). |
Letters in brackets following alphabetical sequence : (a), (b), (c) |
2.3.5.1 Temporary activities are controlled in the CCC zone provided: |
Lists within policy (or rule) subsections or parts |
Lower-case Roman numerals in brackets (i), (ii), (iii) |
(d) A landscape plan is submitted that shall show: |
Some other tips relating to numbering
- Use the same style and hierarchy throughout the plan.
- If part of a policy or rule consists of two related lists, continue the second list as though it were a continuation of the first (that way there is no danger of the list items being confused through having two similar items). For example:
“Primary Productions includes:
- cultivation of land
- keeping and maintenance of animals, birds for the production of fibre, meat or other animal products
- fish and shellfish farming and hatcheries
- fruit, vegetable, flower, seed or grain growing
but does not include: - mining or drilling
- quarrying
- sand mining and shingle extraction”.
- Consider breaking lengthy rules up into several separate rules if there are multiple lists and sub lists within the same rule.
- When referring to other provisions or parts of provisions use the short form of the number in italics (ie, 2.3.1.6(a)(ii) ) rather than spelling it out in full (rule 2.3.1.6 paragraph (a) subparagraph (ii) ).
- Don’t use bullet points or dashes in policies and rules as these are confusing and difficult to reference.
