Southland District Council and Invercargill City Council Subdivision, Land Use, and Development Code of Practice 2023 Notes

Southland District Council and Invercargill City Council Subdivision, Land Use, and Development Code of Practice 2023

General Information

  • Document issued by Southland District Council and Invercargill City Council.
  • CoP aims to manage and regulate Subdivision, Land Use, and Development within the Southland District and Invercargill City.
  • Seeks environmentally, socially, and culturally sustainable development.
  • Ensures technically robust works that are durable and future-focused.
  • Aims to prevent future environmental and financial burdens on future generations and the councils.
  • This CoP supersedes the Southland District Council Subdivision and Land Development Bylaw 2012 and the Invercargill City Council Code of Practice for Land Development and Subdivision Infrastructure Bylaw 2016.

Introduction

  • The CoP outlines network asset design and construction requirements for the Southland District and Invercargill City.
  • Aids the council in achieving objectives and service levels set out in Long Term Plans and Resource Management Plans.
  • Provides consistent minimum standards and guidance for assets that the council will accept.
  • Includes requirements for ongoing operations and maintenance of assets.
  • Also includes requirements relevant to network assets in private ownership connecting to public assets.
  • Recognizes Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku as Rangatira, respecting their rights and responsibilities to protect the environment.
  • Encourages a partnering approach across infrastructure planning and design with mana whenua to reflect Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku values and aspirations.
  • Acknowledges Te Tangi a Tauira (The Cry of the People), the Iwi Management Plan, providing strategic planning directions.
  • The Building Act provides a national framework for building control, ensuring buildings are safe, sanitary, and have suitable escape routes from fire.
  • The Building Regulations provide mandatory requirements for building control in the form of the New Zealand Building Code.
  • The Building Code contains objectives, functional requirements, and performance criteria for building works. The CoP must not detract from the requirements of the Building Act or the Building Code, especially concerning site works, stormwater management, and interaction of structures with stormwater flows.
  • Document Structure:
    • Introduction
    • References and Abbreviations
    • General Requirements and Procedures
    • Earthworks and Geotechnical Requirements
    • Roads
    • Stormwater
    • Wastewater
    • Water Supply
    • Network Utility Services
    • Landscape
    • Community Facilities
  • Sections 3-11 provides specific provisions on particular types of infrastructure to be provided.
  • The Council standards in this document are intended to reflect the minimum standard required and are not a replacement for professional engineering design.
  • Provides best practice land development and subdivision infrastructure techniques in low impact design, climate change, and urban design.
  • The provisions of this CoP does not reduce the responsibility of professionals to exercise their judgement and devise appropriate solutions for the particular circumstances of each development.

References and Abbreviations

  • Lists various New Zealand Standards (NZS), Joint Australian/New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS), Australian Standards (AS), and British Standards (BS) that are referenced in the CoP.
  • Includes standards related to structural design, concrete production, timber-framed buildings, land development, road lighting, PVC pipes, electrical installations, and more.
  • Also lists other publications such as Ministry for the Environment documents, BRANZ reports, Austroads guides, and Water New Zealand manuals.
  • Provides a comprehensive list of New Zealand Legislation that the CoP is subject to, including the Building Act, Resource Management Act, and Local Government Act.

General Requirements and Procedures

  • Details general application matters and requirements.
  • Includes schedules for certificates and as-built plans.
  • Infrastructure Development Process:
    • Outlines the consenting process for land subdivision or development.
    • Requires written evidence of landowner consent for construction on another property.
    • Encourages preliminary discussions with the Council and stakeholders to ensure compliance with standards and integration with existing infrastructure.
    • Design:
      • Proposals must conform to the CoP.
      • All aspects (investigation, design, supervision, certification) must be carried out by experienced and qualified persons with appropriate insurance.
      • Must meet requirements of Environment Southland, including their Regional Water Plan, proposed Southland Water and Land Plan, and Coastal Plan
      • Emphasizes catchment management planning to replicate pre-development hydrological regime.
      • Addresses water quality by requiring stormwater treatment devices.
      • Emphasizes the requirements for documents to Be Submitted For Design Approval
      • Explains approval of design process and alternative design basis process.
    • Life-Cycle Costing: Considers initial costs to the developer and long-term costs to owners or the Council.
    • Climate Change:
      • Climate change including sea level rise and the frequency of extreme weather events must be factored into the design.
      • Requirements for climate change with respect to sea level rise are specifically detailed in Section 6.3.6.2.
    • Urban Design Protocol: Incorporates seven essential design qualities: context, character, choice, connections, creativity, custodianship, and collaboration.
    • Construction Phases Notification of Construction Program Earthworks construction Stormwater construction - On-site disposal considerations (a) No piped system is immediately available or will not be available within 10 years of the subdivision application. (b) No piped system is available immediately adjacent or within a reasonable distance of the site.
    • Connecting To Existing Services
      • Outlines requirements for connection to existing water, wastewater, stormwater, and other services.
    • Inspection and Acceptance
      • Details Council's inspection and acceptance procedures.
    • Maintenance
      • Specifies the developer's responsibility for maintaining infrastructure until formal handover.
    • Testing
      • Requires pre-testing by the developer before testing by the network utility operator.
    • Reinstatement
      • Stipulates that construction areas must be returned to their original condition.
    • Asset Handover Process
      • Details required completion documentation including: geotechnical reports, as-built plans, testing evidence, reticulation evidence, completion certificates, and updated Safety in Design register.
      • Requirements of as-built asset information for Roads, 3 Waters, and Community resources