Issues

1. Multiple land use activities on one site (vertical integration)

• 1.1 Noise
• 1.2 Carparking and traffic
• 1.3 Hours of operation
• 1.4 Visual - bulk and location
• 1.5 Signage

2. Reverse sensitivity

• 2.1 Noise
• 2.2 Agrichemical use
• 2.3 Odour
• 2.4 Glare / lighting
• 2.5 Rural subdivision
• 2.6 Visual - bulk and location

3. Water allocation and use

4. Worker accommodation

• 4.1 Visual - bulk and location

5. Waste management

• 5.1 Solid and liquid waste
• 5.2 Odour

1. Multiple land use activities on one site (vertical integration)

1.1 Noise

Noise generated by ancillary winegrowing operations may affect the health and amenity of nearby residents. Conversely, reverse sensitivity could mean that the operation of permitted rural activities (eg, the use of farm-related machinery and crop-protection devices) and vertically integrated activities within rural or rural-residential areas (eg, restaurants and cafes) are vulnerable to complaints.

The effects of activities associated with ancillary winegrowing operations, such as noise generated from wine making, cafes, restaurants and carparking areas is another common area of concern.  Approaches to manage noise from non-rural uses are not necessarily specific to the wine industry, and could equally apply to other non-rural activities. Refer to the Noise management in mixed-use urban environments guidance note for further discussion.

Approaches and examples

Generally, noise can be controlled at either the source or the receiver. Section 16 of the RMA requires all noise generators to adopt the best practicable option to avoid the emission of unreasonable noise. This is additional to the duty to comply with the permitted noise levels included in a district plan.

Approaches to control noise at the source include:

• General noise emission standards
  These apply to the site from which the noise is being emitted but measured at or beyond the boundary of the site, or at the notional boundary of neighbouring dwellings or other noise sensitive activities. For example, the general Noise section of the Hastings District Plan (PDF 463 KB) includes tables that indicate the maximum permitted noise levels for each zone within the district, both in dBA L10 (rule 14.2.8.1-1) and dBA Lmax (rule 14.2.8.1-2). However, these can be difficult to monitor on an on-going basis and are generally activated in response to a complaint.
• Standards associated with particular types of activities, such as noise from entertainment venues
  These can be difficult to cost-effectively monitor on an on-going basis, with remedial action largely arising as a response to complaints.
• Timing restrictions on operations
  These may be imposed as a condition of consent and are reasonably easy to monitor. For activities involving the retailing of goods and/or the serving of food and beverages to be permitted in the Rural Zone of Hastings District (PDF 83 KB), their hours of operation are restricted to 8am to 10pm, 7 days per week (rule 5.9.3).
• Management plans
  These may be imposed as a condition of consent, and include the number of events per calendar year exceeding the permitted hours of operation, the timing and noise levels of events that occur on the site, and detailed management procedures to assist the applicant and neighbours to deal with excessive noise. Management plans can be monitored reasonably easily, can be tailored to specific circumstances, and have the potential to be self-monitored by the consent holder in accordance with a consent condition.
• Acoustic insulation and design of buildings
  This includes the screening of outdoor areas in restaurants or wineries to mitigate noise received by adjoining properties. Consideration may also be given to the inclusion of acoustic insulation and/or location of doors and windows relative to neighbouring properties. This approach can be applied as a condition of consent.

Approaches to manage the volume of noise received include:

• Applying lower noise limits to noise-sensitive receiving activities in adjacent areas (eg, a maximum noise limit on rural activities measured at or within the boundary of any residential site)
  These can be difficult to cost-effectively monitor on an on-going basis, with monitoring usually being initiated in response to complaints received.
• No-complaints covenants
  These are an optional mechanism that can be included on a title by a landowner at the time that a property is subdivided or developed. If they are imposed as a condition of consent under s108 of the RMA they need to meet the 'Newbury ' test for validity. To be effective they also need the consent of all parties. Covenants can provide owners and potential purchasers of affected properties with notice of surrounding activities.
• More specifically, no complaints covenants prevent the covenantor from complaining about the adverse effects of a nearby activity. Such instruments will often include a prohibition on the owner or occupier from:
• suing for nuisance;
• taking any type of enforcement action under the RMA;
• making opposing submissions against an application by the effects-producing landowner to obtain new resource consents or renew existing ones;
• funding or being otherwise involved in any of these activities.

A resource consent applicant will often propose such a covenant to respond to the concerns of existing operators. A covenant may be either agreed as a condition of the consent under s108 RMA, or by private agreement, and can be registered on the title of the receiving site under s109 RMA. The Proposed City of Napier District Plan (PDF 97 KB) lists the use of no-complaints covenants as a non-regulatory method to avoid reverse sensitivity issues in the city 's Rural Environment (objective 33.2) (PDF 97 KB)(objective 33.2).

• Acoustic insulation of new residential dwellings located near existing noise-generating activities
  This could be applied either as a consent condition, or a standard relating to a rezoning proposal (eg, to protect existing noise-producing rural activities, where the resource consent or rezoning results in establishing new residential activities in an area). For example, the Hastings District Plan (PDF 463 KB) requires residential buildings and visitor accommodation within any industrial or commercial zone to be acoustically insulated to mitigate the potential noise effects of high background noise levels (rule 14.2.9.4). This method could equally be applied in a rural area to mitigate potential noise effects arising from some rural operations.

Noise effects can also be managed by separating noisy and noise-sensitive activities (refer also to the section on reverse sensitivity). Approaches that can be used to separate activities include:

• Separation by distance - For example, the Hastings District Plan (PDF 463 KB) includes a guide which outlines the separation distances required to meet the maximum permitted noise levels for gas guns (rule 14.2.9.1).  The Hurunui District Plan (PDF 177 KB) restricts the use of audible crop protection devices within an urban area or within 200m of any urban area (rule A.1.2.9). It is also an approach that could equally apply to vertically integrated activities (eg, new vineyard restaurants are to be located no closer than 200m from any existing residential building on an adjoining site).
• Use of noise barriers such as earth bunds or solid fences
  The effectiveness of noise barriers will depend on what they are constructed of, how they are constructed, and the nature of the noise generated.

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1.2 Carparking and traffic

Winegrowing and ancillary operations have the potential to increase traffic movements to and from the site and within the surrounding area. Traffic generated can include heavy vehicles delivering and picking up supplies and products, as well as staff and visitor vehicles. Wherever possible, parking demand should be catered for on site. Providing adequate on-site parking will help ensure that the traffic effects of the activity do not extend beyond the site (eg, visitors parking on the road side). The following approaches are not necessarily specific to the wine industry, and could equally apply to other non-rural activities.

Approaches and examples

Parking requirements based on the gross floor area of an activity can be an effective means of managing some of the potential off-site traffic-related effects associated with ancillary winegrowing operations. For example, the Proposed Wairau/Awatere Resource Management Plan includes permitted activity standards relating to on-site parking and manoeuvring for specific activities such as wineries (rule 2.3.1.7).

Controls over hours of servicing can also be used to manage effects on residential sites. These would generally be imposed through consent conditions (eg, limiting servicing activity to business hours).

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1.3 Hours of operation

The hours of operation of ancillary winegrowing operations are likely to differ from those associated with existing rural-based primary production-related processes. This may in turn result in an increased level of noise and traffic movement occurring within a rural area. The approaches below are not necessarily specific to the wine industry, and could equally apply to other non-rural activities.

Approaches and examples

In the Rural-Productive Zone (PDF 122 KB), the Gisborne Combined Regional Land and District Plan permits wine tasting and sales, cafes and restaurants that are ancillary to rural production from the site provided that wine processing-related industries, including wine tastings, sales, restaurants and cafes, only operate between the hours of 7am and 9pm (rule 21.10.1.7).

Within the Te Mata Special Character Zone (PDF 180 KB) (and Rural (PDF 83 KB) and Plains Zone (PDF 256 KB)) of the Hastings District Plan, activities which involve the retailing of goods and/or the serving of food or beverages to the public between the hours of 8am and 10pm are permitted (rule 11.1.9.2).

These approaches would be relatively easy to monitor, as any changes in hours of operation tend to occur on a seasonal basis.

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1.4 Visual - bulk and location

Ancillary winegrowing operations, including cafes and restaurants, may require large buildings and carparking areas; these features could be visually inconsistent with the surrounding rural area. Buildings associated with ancillary winegrowing operations often require a higher level of building design than other primary production activities such as for orchards.

Viticulture can be a dominating element of the landscape in particular regions of New Zealand.  Consideration must be given to the contribution of the wine industry, together with other primary-production industries, to the rural landscape in an area.

Approaches and examples

Approaches to control visual effects include:

• Use of screening
  The Hurunui District Plan (PDF 177 KB) requires vehicle parks and non-residential buildings in non-urban areas that can be viewed from specified roads, adjacent residential sites or an open space zone to be screened. Screening is not required for buildings accessory to farming activities, which includes viticultural activities (rule A.1.2.10). Screening includes trees, shrubs, solid walls and fences. In the Te Mata Special Character Zone (PDF 180 KB), the Hastings District Plan requires storage areas, outdoor display areas and parking areas be screened by landscaping or fences so that they are not visible from adjoining roads or residential buildings on adjacent properties (rule 11.1.8.4). Where a winery exceeds the permitted activity threshold standards in the and Rural (PDF 83 KB) and Plains Zone (PDF 256 KB), it becomes a restricted discretionary activity. Specific matters to be assessed include whether the application is "…in accordance with the concept of vertical integration [and]… the extent to which the winery utilises and enhances the surrounding landscape".
• Use of design guides
  For example, the Hastings District Council has produced a 'Good practice landscape guidelines for subdivision and development in the Hastings District '. The guidelines offer detailed advice on building location and design and the location of infrastructure. They also provide guidance on the exercise of council discretion when assessing the visual effects of a development on the landscape, particularly those which are a discretionary activity. A design guide may also be a useful approach to manage the visual effect of winegrowing activities in districts which have an extensive wine industry or clusters of winegrowing activities.
• Bulk and location standards (eg, maximum height, setback and floor area controls)
  For example, the Rural Zone (PDF 83 KB) (and Plains Zone (PDF 256 KB)) of the Hastings District Plan permits wineries, subject to meeting relevant permitted activity standards including a specific floor area requirement (rule 5.9.3 and 6.9.3). Bulk and location standards are generally easy to monitor and understand. Further examples of bulk and location standards used by councils to address the visual effects are contained in the New Zealand Winegrowers Background Issues Paper (PDF 329 KB).

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1.5 Signage

Ancillary winegrowing operations, such as cafes and restaurants, rely on signage to advertise, indicate their location and attract visitors, particularly in rural areas. The nature of the rural setting requires careful attention to be directed towards the location, design, and size of associated signage.

Some councils require bylaw approval for signage in addition to any resource consent requirements. Signage on or near a state highway also requires approval from Transit New Zealand.

Approaches to manage the effects of signage associated with non-rural activities are not necessarily specific to the wine industry, and could equally apply to other non-rural activities.

Approaches and examples

Approaches to control visual effects of signage include controls on:

• location.
• size
• content
• visibility.

Examples of how councils have applied these approaches to manage the effects of signage are contained in the New Zealand Winegrowers Background Issues Paper (PDF 329 KB).

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2. Reverse sensitivity

2.1 Noise

Noise generated by winegrowing operations may affect the health and amenity of residents in adjacent rural or residential zones. Conversely, where residential growth extending into rural and rural-residential areas, reverse sensitivity may affect the operation of permitted winegrowing activities within these areas.

A common concern in rural areas is noise associated with the operation of normal rural activities (eg, tractors, delivery trucks, and outdoor storage and processing areas). For winegrowing operations, noise associated with crop protection devices, such as the use of wind machines, helicopters and gas guns, is a common source of complaint.

Approaches to manage reverse sensitivity noise effects could also apply to other situations where incompatible land uses are sited next to each other. Refer to the Noise management in mixed-use urban environments guidance note for further discussion.

Approaches and examples

Generally, noise can be controlled at either the source or the receiver 's end. Section 16 of the RMA requires all noise generators to adopt the best practicable option to avoid the emission of unreasonable noise, and is additional to the duty to comply with the permitted noise levels included in a district plan.

Approaches to control the volume of noise at the source include:

• General noise emission standards
  These apply to the site from which the noise is being emitted but measured at or beyond the boundary of the site, or at the notional boundary of neighbouring dwellings or other noise-sensitive activities. For example, the Hastings District Plan (PDF 463 KB) includes tables that indicate the maximum permitted noise levels for each zone within the district, both in dBA L10 (rule 14.2.8.1-1) and dBA Lmax (rule 14.2.8.1-2). However, these can be difficult to cost-effectively monitor on an on-going basis, with remedial action largely occurring as a result of complaints.
• Standards associated with particular types of activities, such as noise from crop protection devices and frost-protection devices
  The Proposed Wairau/Awatere Resource Management Plan has permitted noise standards to control the operation of audible crop protection devices. The standards cover hours, location and frequency of use, the density of devices per hectare and the maximum noise level generated. Within the Gibbston Character Zone (PDF 280 KB), the Queenstown Lakes District Plan (Partially Operative) exempts wind machines and frost-fighting devices from the permitted activity standards relating to noise, provided that they are operated in accordance with the manufacturer 's specifications (rule 5.7.5.2(iii)). Reliance on flexible restrictions offers a useful means to recognise and provide for the infrequent and unpredictable nature of the use of frost-protection devices (eg, weather-dependent). The Hurunui District Plan (PDF 177 KB) also exempts wind machines used for frost protection from the permitted activity noise standards as they are considered to be a typical agricultural practice when undertaken for a limited duration (rule A.1.2.9). The council relies instead on section 16 of the RMA to ensure that unreasonable noise is avoided. This has resulted in wind machines being modified to achieve lower noise levels when they are located close to existing neighbouring dwellings. Some councils now provide guidance on the construction and use of wind machines. For example, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council has set out guidelines for frost control fans, including performance standards. If consent applications for fans are assessed to meet the standard, and the applicant receives written permission from all neighbours, a non-notified consent may be granted (subject to other relevant provisions of the District Plan). Marlborough District Council also provides a building consent application checklist for wind machines. Hurunui District Council have also released an issues and options paper (PDF 271 KB) regarding the use of frost protection devices.
• Timing restrictions on operations
  This may involve, for instance, establishing permitted noise levels that apply to different parts of the day. The approach allows higher background noise levels during business hours, with lower background levels during the night.
• Management plans
  These may be imposed as a condition of consent, and include the number of events per calendar year exceeding the permitted hours of operation, the timing and noise levels of events that occur on the site, and detailed management procedures to assist the applicant and neighbours to deal with excessive noise.
• Acoustic insulation and design of buildings
  This includes screening around storage areas associated with winemaking activities to mitigate effects of machinery noise on adjoining properties. Consideration may also be given to the inclusion of acoustic insulation and/or location of doors and windows relative to neighbouring properties. This approach could be applied as a condition of consent.
• industry initiatives Recently New Zealand Winegrowers released a draft Wind Machine Code of Practice 2008 for members ' comments. The intent of the Code of Practice aims to provide guidance to the wine industry on the safe operation of wind machines. Compliance with the Code, however, would be voluntary and would not displace members ' obligations to comply with rules contained in the relevant District Plan or the RMA.

  Approaches to manage noise at the receiver include:

  • Applying lower noise limits to noise sensitive activities in adjacent areas (eg, a maximum noise limit on rural activities measured at or within the boundary of any residential site)
    This approach is applied in the Hastings District Plan (PDF 463 KB) in relation to its gas-gun bird-scarer and wind machine (frost-protection devices) noise standards, both of which are more restrictive in relation to noise received within residential zones (rule 14.2.9). It can be difficult to cost-effectively monitor on an on-going basis, with monitoring usually being initiated in response to complaints received.
  • No-complaints covenants
    These are an optional mechanism that can be included on a title by a landowner at the time that a property is subdivided or developed. If they are imposed as a condition of consent under s108 of the RMA they need to meet the 'Newbury ' test for validity. To be effective they also need the consent of all parties. Covenants can provide owners and potential purchasers of affected properties with notice of surrounding activities.
  • More specifically, no complaints covenants prevent the covenantor from complaining about the adverse effects of a nearby activity. Such instruments will often include a prohibition on the owner or occupier from:
  • suing for nuisance;
  • taking any type of enforcement action under the RMA;
  • making opposing submissions against an application by the effects-producing landowner to obtain new resource consents or renew existing ones;
  • funding or being otherwise involved in any of these activities.

  A resource consent applicant will often propose such a covenant to respond to the concerns of existing operators. A covenant may be either agreed as a condition of the consent under s108 RMA, or by private agreement, and can be registered on the title of the receiving site under s109 RMA (Winstone Aggregates). The Proposed City of Napier District Plan (PDF 97 KB) lists the use of no-complaints covenants as a non-regulatory method to avoid reverse sensitivity issues in the city 's Rural Environment (objective 33.2) (PDF 97 KB). (objective 33.2).

  • Acoustic insulation of new residential dwellings located near existing rural activities
    This could be applied either as a consent condition or a standard relating to a rezoning proposal (eg, to protect existing noise-producing rural activities), where the resource consent or rezoning results in new residential activities establishing in an area. For example, the Hastings District Plan requires residential buildings and visitor accommodation within any industrial or commercial zone to be acoustically insulated to mitigate the potential noise effects of high background noise levels (rule 14.2.9.4). This approach could equally be applied in rural areas to mitigate potential noise effects arising from some rural operations.
  • Council newsletters and mail-outs
    These can be used to inform new rural-residential dwellers that they are living in a "working" rural environment along with the effects that are permitted in that environment. The Central Otago District Council sends out notices every few months to remind existing and new rural residents that noise is generated by permitted activities such as primary production operations. Since introducing this practice, there have reportedly been few rural noise complaints.

  Noise effects can also be managed by separating noisy and noise-sensitive activities. Approaches that can be used to separate activities include:

  • Separation by distance
    For example, the Hastings District Plan (PDF 463 KB) includes a guide which outlines the separation distances required to meet the maximum permitted noise levels for gas guns (rule 14.2.9.1). This stems from the fact that the effectiveness of separation distances can be dependent on a variety of factors, including the topography of the separation area, the orientation of the noise source and weather conditions.
  • Use of noise barriers, such as landscaping
    The effectiveness of noise barriers will be dependent on what the barrier is constructed of, how it is constructed, and the nature of the noise being generated.
  • Setback distances
    These can be applied to new residential dwellings located next to permitted viticulture activities, for new vineyards establishing next to an existing residential area.

  Further examples of how councils have applied these approaches to manage noise effects are contained in the New Zealand Winegrowers Background Issues Paper (PDF 329 KB).

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  2.2 Agrichemical use

  Winegrowing operations have limited potential to cause spray drift beyond a vineyard. A number of factors play a part, such as wind direction and velocity, effectiveness of targeting, spray droplet size, type of spray equipment used, direction of spraying and frequency of application. Because most of the spray application in vineyards is directional, spray drift beyond the boundary is highly unlikely.

  Spray drift can be a health risk and concerns are likely to arise in areas where commercial spraying occurs. The application of agrichemicals for winegrowing is closely controlled and monitored by the wine industry, particularly as the use of agrichemicals can affect trade if residue exceeds legal limits.

  The effectiveness and efficiency of agrichemicals depends on the exterior temperature and weather conditions. Due to the difficulty in forecasting the appropriate conditions for application, spraying may occur at short notice. Therefore controls on the use of agrichemicals need to be flexible enough to enable their effective and efficient application.

  Use of agrichemical on adjoining properties may also affect vineyards. Grapevines are particularly sensitive to hormone-based agrichemicals and may be affected by spray drift.

  Approaches to manage the reverse sensitivity issues associated with agrichemical use could also apply to other situations where incompatible land uses are sited next to each other.

  Approaches and examples

  Approaches to manage agrichemical use include:

  • Location of use
    The Proposed Wairau/Awatere Resource Management Plan applies permitted activity standards to control the use of agrichemical sprays. Provisions include standards which require that all reasonable steps be undertaken to ensure that no spray drifts beyond the boundary of the site or deposits onto any surface water. This can be difficult to monitor, unless complaints are received.
  • Separation between the use of agrichemical sprays and particular uses on adjoining sites
    For example, to be considered a controlled activity in the Rural 1 Zone of the Tasman Resource Management Plan (PDF 248 KB) vineyard plantings that may result in the discharge to air of pesticides or herbicides have to be located a minimum distance of 30m from any dwelling, or 20m from any dwelling that is separated by a spray belt (rule 17.4.5).
  • Use of management plans
    For example, the Hawke 's Bay Regional Resource Management Plan requires in certain circumstances a spray plan to be prepared before agrichemical sprays are used (section 6.4.1 rule 10(h)). The spray plan must be in accordance with the New Zealand Standard NZS 8409:2004 Management of Agrichemicals (PDF 135 KB).
  • Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Programme
    It provides detailed guidance on chemicals and their usage and requires growers to maintain spray diaries (eg, the New Zealand Winegrowers Export Wine Grape Spray Schedule contains spray data to assist growers to comply with the requirements of foreign markets). The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) also provides information on requirements in relation to agrichemical use under the HSNO Act (eg, information for farmers).

  Further examples of how councils have applied these to manage the effects of agrichemicals are contained in the New Zealand Winegrowers Background Issues Paper (PDF 329 KB).

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  2.3 Odour

  Winegrowing operations have the potential to generate odour, primarily during winemaking. Odour can be generated by the decomposition or composting of grape skins and other solid waste, or during fermentation of the grape juice. Complaints, for instance, may arise when grape marc is left to stockpile.

  Approaches to manage the reverse sensitivity issues associated with odour could also apply to other situations where incompatible land uses are sited next to each other.

  Refer to the Good practice guide for assessing and managing odour in New Zealand for further discussion.

  Approaches and examples

  Approaches to control the effects of odour typically involve determining the level of offensiveness created. Odour can be relatively difficult to monitor as it is a relatively subjective area. The Hawke 's Bay Regional Resource Management Plan requires that an odour must not be offensive or objectionable and contains a detailed outline of the process that will be used by the council to determine the level of effect (section 6.1.4 rule 14).

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  2.4 Glare / lighting

  Winegrowing operations often require a high level of lighting, both for operational and ancillary purposes, which can create visually intrusive glare. The level of glare often depends on the scale of the winegrowing operation, while the effects often depend on the topography of the site relative to neighbouring sites, roads and other locations from which glare can be seen. The most intense lighting generally occurs during the annual 6- to 8-week harvest period. Glare has the potential to elicit complaints from surrounding landowners.

  Approaches to manage the reverse sensitivity issues associated with glare/lighting could also apply to other situations where incompatible land uses are sited next to each other.

  Approaches and examples

  Approaches to control the effects of glare/lighting include:

  • Setting lux level standards
    In the Te Mata Special Character Zone (PDF 180 KB) (and Rural (PDF 83 KB) and Plains Zones (PDF 256 KB)) of the Hastings District Plan, all external light spill must be less than an 8 lux measured at a height of 1.5m above the ground at the boundary of the site (rule 11.1.8.5). This can be monitored relatively easily with the assistance of a lighting consultant/expert.
  • Controls on the direction of lighting
    For example, the Gibbston Character Zone (PDF 439 KB) (and Rural General Zone (PDF 289 KB)) of the Queenstown Lakes District Plan (Partially Operative) requires all fixed exterior lighting to be directed away from adjacent sites and roads (rule 5.7.5.2 (iv) and 5.3.5.2(vi)).
  • Screening and separation of buildings and activities
    This may involve, for instance, a requirement that adequate landscaping be provided along boundaries.

  Further examples of how councils have applied approaches to manage the effects of glare/lighting are contained in the New Zealand Winegrowers Background Issues Paper (PDF 329 KB).

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  2.5 Rural subdivision

  Subdivision has the potential to affect winegrowing in two ways.

  • The pattern and rate of subdivision influences the potential for conflict to arise between winegrowing operations and other activities, particularly residential use, in the rural environment. This is particularly so when subdivision creates an increased number of allotments near existing winegrowing and/or ancillary winegrowing operations, and where the density of settlement intensifies as a result.
  • Subdivision potentially reduces the amount of productive land available for winegrowing operations. In some instances this land will have special qualities for wine production that cannot be reproduced in other locations.

  Approaches to manage the reverse sensitivity issues associated with rural subdivision could also apply to other situations where incompatible land uses are sited next to each other.

  Refer to the Subdivision guidance note for further discussion.

  Approaches and examples

  Approaches to control the reverse sensitivity effects of rural subdivision include:

  • Minimum lot size standards
    For example, the Gisborne District Council Combined Regional Land and District Plan (PDF 200 KB) has a general minimum lot size in the Rural Productive Zone of 8ha (rule 12.6.2), whereas the Hastings District Plan requires a minimum lot size of 12ha in the Plains Zone (PDF 879 KB)(rule 15.1.8.1). The larger the minimum lot size, the lower the risk of intense rural residential development occurring on adjoining or nearby sites. Refer to the New Zealand Winegrowers Background Issues Paper (PDF 329 KB) for further details on the lot sizes applied by different councils. 
  • Non-regulatory mechanisms
    For example, the Rural Zone of the Hastings District Plan (PDF 83 KB) advises prospective rural residents on Land Information Memoranda that they are establishing in a productive agricultural environment, and that the council recognises and will uphold the amenity effects associated with normal farming operations (method 5.5). Provided these operations comply with the permitted activity standards of the district plan, council will not consider the effects to constitute a nuisance. This can be a useful technique to make property owners aware of the potential noise levels they may be exposed to.
  • Bulk and location controls (eg, requiring specific setback requirements for buildings on new allotments and specific buffering distances)
    The Hurunui District Plan (PDF 99 KB) includes assessment matters for subdivision consent that require consideration of cross-boundary effects between environmentally incompatible activities such as the proximity of new dwellings to vineyards in the Waipara Wine Growing area (policy 10.6). Objectives and policies could also be included in a plan to encourage clustering of new rural-residential properties in order to minimise their interface with productive rural activities.
  • Consent notices
    For example, to define the future location of building platforms on new allotments.
  • No-complaints covenants
    These are an optional mechanism that can be included on a title by a landowner at the time that a property is subdivided or developed. If they are imposed as a condition of consent under s108 of the RMA they need to meet the 'Newbury ' test for validity. To be effective they also need the consent of all parties. Covenants can provide owners and potential purchasers of affected properties with notice of surrounding activities. They may also limit their legal standing to require action to be taken where noise from adjacent activities is within the limits set by the district plan or allowed by a resource consent. For example, the Proposed City of Napier District Plan (PDF 97 KB) lists the use of no-complaints covenants as a non-regulatory method to avoid reverse sensitivity issues in the city 's Rural Environment (objective 33.2) (PDF 97 KB).
  • Use of design guides
    These may provide a useful way to manage the visual effects of rural subdivision. They can be used to present information on appropriate or desired building form and design, through diagrams, sketches and associated commentary. For example, the Hastings District Council has produced a 'Good practice landscape guidelines for subdivision and development in the Hastings District '. The guidelines offer detailed advice on building location and design and the location of infrastructure. They also provide guidance on the exercise of council discretion when assessing the visual effects of a development on the landscape. The Hurunui District Council has a Rural Subdivision Design Guide (PDF 746 KB) that discusses rural character and provides design and mitigation techniques that may be incorporated into subdivision plans. The guide is also used to inform the assessment of land use and subdivision consent applications.

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  2.6 Visual - bulk and location

  Because they are a primary production process, winegrowing operations often require large-scale buildings, tanks and other utilitarian facilities. However, these structures may be visually inconsistent with the surrounding rural area. As residential activities move closer to existing rural operations, they may be perceived to be inconsistent with the character of the emerging rural-residential environment.

  Approaches to manage the reverse sensitivity issues associated with the visual effects of rural buildings could also apply to other situations where incompatible land uses are sited next to each other.

  Approaches and examples

  Approaches to control visual effects include:

  • Use of screening
    The Hurunui District Plan (PDF 177 KB) requires screening for vehicle parks and non-residential buildings in non-urban areas that can be viewed from specified roads, adjacent residential sites or an open space zone. It is not required for buildings accessory to farming activities, which includes viticulture activities (rule A.1.2.10). Screens include trees, shrubs, solid walls and fences. In the Te Mata Special Character Zone (PDF 180 KB), the Hastings District Plan requires storage areas, outdoor display areas and parking areas be screened by landscaping or fences, so that they are not visible from adjoining roads or residential buildings on adjacent properties (rule 11.1.8.4).
  • Use of bulk and location standards for buildings
    For example in the Te Mata Special Character Zone (PDF 180 KB), the Hastings District Plan imposes a maximum permitted height of 10m for buildings and compliance with a specific building envelope (rule 11.1.8). Further examples of bulk and location standards used by councils to address visual effects are contained in the New Zealand Winegrowers Background Issues Paper (PDF 329 KB).
  • Use of design guides
    A design guide may be a useful way to manage the visual effects of winegrowing activities in districts that have an extensive wine industry or clusters of winegrowing activities. They can be used to present information on appropriate or desired building forms and designs, through diagrams, sketches and associated commentary. For example, the Hastings District Council has produced a 'Good practice landscape guidelines for subdivision and development in the Hastings District '. The guidelines offer detailed advice on building location and design and the location of infrastructure.  They also provide guidance to council on how to exercise its discretion when assessing the visual effects of a development on the landscape.

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  3. Water allocation and use

  Water availability refers to the changing quantity of water resource (both groundwater and surface water) contained in a catchment.

  Allocation is an issue for existing permit holders in both the wine industry and other primary production industries. This is particularly the case when continuity of supply depends on a permit renewal process.

  Where available water is at or near full allocation, the issues of availability and allocation merge, and access to a secure supply through such means as allocation, augmentation or transfer can be an issue for new industry entrants.

  Approaches to manage the water allocation and availability could also apply to other situations where water takes are required.

  Approaches and examples

  Approaches to control the effects of water take include:

  • Metering of water takes
    The Government is currently assessing the merits of a national environmental standard for water measuring devices. The intent of the proposed national environmental standard is to ensure the accurate and comprehensive measurement of water takes by:
  • Setting minimum requirements for all new water measuring devices that are installed; and
  • Defining situations where water measuring devices are compulsory.

  Metering is also seen by the wine industry as a good practice monitoring method and is intended to be a requirement of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Programme.

  • Use of catchment plans
    The Proposed Wairau/Awatere Resource Management Plan uses catchment plans to indicate both allocation limits and minimum flows.
  • Greater Wellington Regional Freshwater Plan (PDF 993 KB)
    This uses methods to set minimum flows on a largely regional basis. These include, for instance, the identification of minimum flows that should be achieved in low flow conditions (policy 6.2.1).

  For further information refer to the Planning for Water Allocation Guidance Note.

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  4. Worker accommodation

  4.1 Visual - bulk and location

  Providing worker accommodation for winegrowing operations may require the construction of large-scale accommodation buildings within rural areas. These buildings may be visually inconsistent with the surrounding rural area, unless they are designed and located in a sensitive way. Issues can also arise where accommodation is provided away from existing residential and/or commercial zones, particularly when there is available infrastructure and capacity within these zones.

  Approaches to manage the visual effects of worker accommodation a could also apply to other situations where worker accommodation is needed.

  Approaches and examples

  Approaches to control visual effects include:

  • Use of screening
    The Hurunui District Plan (PDF 177 KB) requires vehicle parks and non-residential buildings in non-urban areas that can be viewed from specified roads, adjoining residential sites or an open space zone to be screened. Screening is not required for buildings accessory to farming activities, which includes viticulture activities (rule A.1.2.10). Screening includes trees, shrubs, solid walls and fences. In the Te Mata Special Character Zone (PDF 180 KB), the Hastings District Plan requires storage areas, outdoor display areas and parking areas to be screened by landscaping or fences so that they are not visible from adjoining roads or residential buildings on adjacent properties (rule 11.1.8.4).
  • The use of bulk and location standards for buildings
    For example, the Te Mata Special Character Zone (PDF 180 KB) of the Hastings District Plan imposes a maximum permitted height of 10m for buildings and compliance with a specific building envelope (rule 11.1.8). Further examples of bulk and location standards used by councils to address visual effects are contained in the New Zealand Winegrowers Background Issues Paper (PDF 329 KB.
  • The use of design guides
    Design guides may provide a useful way to manage the visual effects of winegrowing activities in districts that have an extensive wine industry or clusters of winegrowing activities. They can be used to present information on appropriate / desired building forms and designs through diagrams, sketches and associated commentary. For example, the Hastings District Council has produced a 'Good practice landscape guidelines for subdivision and development in the Hastings District '. The guidelines offer detailed advice on building location and design and the location of infrastructure. They also provide guidance to council on how to exercise its discretion when assessing the visual effects of a development on the landscape. The Hurunui District Council has a Rural Subdivision Design Guide (PDF 746 KB) that discusses rural character and provides design and mitigation techniques that may be incorporated into subdivision plans. The guide is also used to inform the assessment of land use and subdivision consent applications.

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  5. Waste management

  5.1 Solid and liquid waste

  Solid waste from the winemaking process typically includes:

  • grape marc consisting of grape skins, stems and leaves from the pressing of grapes
  • suspended solids from the wastewater screening
  • lees sediments containing pulp and yeasts from fermentation
  • sludge when settlement tanks are emptied.

  Grape marc can be composted, and/or used as feed for cattle, deer or pigs. The cost of taking solid waste to a landfill acts as an incentive to discharge it on-site.

  Liquid waste from the winemaking process predominantly consists of water used for cleaning floors, equipment, fermentation vessels and barrels. Liquid waste is typically seasonal in nature, with the highest volume generated at the time of vintage.

  Approaches to waste management could also apply to other processes where waste produced needs to be adequately disposed of.

  Approaches and examples

  Approaches to manage winery waste include:

  • Reference to a Code of Practice
    The Winegrowers of New Zealand Management of Waste By-Products Code of Practice for Wineries discourages the disposal of grape marc to landfills given the range of other potential sustainable uses (eg, organic fertiliser; stock feed). It recommends disposal of other sludge and solids from the winemaking process to landfills where treatment facilities are not available because of the high nutrient loading of these by-products. It also recommends pre-treatment of wastewater (eg, filtering) and outlines the issues to be considered when establishing land disposal and treatment systems. The code is currently being reviewed to ensure that it continues to reflect international best practice.
  • Use of permitted activity standards relating to the disposal of waste products
    For example, the Hawke 's Bay Regional Resource Management Plan includes a permitted activity standard that allows up to 100m³ of raw material to be composted (rule 28).

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  5.2 Odour

  Winegrowing operations have the potential to generate odour, primarily during winemaking. Odour may be generated by the decomposition or composting of grape skins and other solid waste, or during fermentation of the grape juice. Complaints, for instance, often arise when grape marc is left to stockpile.

  Refer to the Good practice guide for assessing and managing odour in New Zealand for further discussion.

  Approaches and examples

  Approaches to control the effects of odour typically involve determining the level of offensiveness created. The Hawke 's Bay Regional Resource Management Plan requires that any discharges to air must not cause any offensive or objectionable odour beyond the boundary of the subject property, and contains a detailed outline of the process that will be used by the council to determine the level of effect (section 6.1.4).

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