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Plan topics Esplanade reserves, esplanade strips and access strips under the RMA
Esplanade Strip
Esplanade Strip is an area of land alongside a water body that may be:
- required by a territorial authority instead of an esplanade reserve on subdivision of private land, or required as a financial contribution on granting of a resource consent by either a regional or territorial authority
- set aside from a reclamation authorised by a regional council
- created at any time by agreement between the landowner and either the territorial or regional council.
Ownership of the strip remains with the landowner. The creation of a strip, and restrictions and requirements relating to its use and management, are noted on the title and bind every party having an interest in the land. The form of the agreement and standard restrictions to be imposed on an esplanade strip are defined in Schedule 10 of the RMA (Requirements for instruments creating esplanade strips and access strips). The purposes for which an esplanade strip may be created are the same as for an esplanade reserve.
The boundaries of an esplanade strip change (within the same allotment) if the location of the MHWS or the bank of a river or lake changes so that the width of the esplanade strip remains unchanged (s233).
Esplanade strips may be created at any time by agreement between the local authority and landowner. This procedure is set out in s235 of the RMA.
They can be varied or cancelled by a territorial authority subject to following the procedure set out in s234 of the RMA. This links to ss127–132 of the Act which cover the cancellation of consent conditions.
