RESOURCE CONSENT DECISION
GRANTED
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd
to
take up to 700 cubic metres per day (700 m3/day) from an unnamed tributary of the
Mangawhero Stream for snowmaking purposes subject to the attached condition schedule
Application Reference:
APP- 2000008491.01
Granted Date:
9 May 2017
Review Date:
July 2019, July 2024
Expiry Date:
1 July 2029
Application Summary
Application Reference
APP- 2000008491.01
To take up to 700 cubic metres per day (700 m3/day) from an unnamed
Purpose of Application
tributary of the Mangawhero River for snowmaking purposes.
Activity Summary
The following summarises the activities that are associated with this Resource Consent, please refer to
the applicable section for individual activity details.
Table 1: Summary of activities
Activity Description
Relevant Rules and Activity Status
Authorisation Number
Water, Surface water, to take water for
Rule 16-5: Takes and Uses of water
complying with core allocations
ATH-2000008548.01
snowmaking purposes
(controlled)
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Assessment Summary
The application has been assessed against the following:
1.1
Policies, Plans, Objectives & Rules
The application has been assessed against the following Regional Policies, Plans, Objectives & Rules:
Policy, Plan or Rule Name
Regional One Plan Policy Statement, 2016 (ROPPS)
Objective
Policy
5-3 – Water Quantity and Allocation
5-1 – Water Management Zones and Values
5-13 – Efficient use of water
5-14 – Overall approach for surface water
allocation
5-15 – Core allocations and minimum flows
12-2 – Consent duration, Review and
12-5 – Consent durations
Enforcement
12-6 – Consent Reviews
Regional One Plan, 2016 (ROPS)
Objective
Policy
16-1 Regulation of takes, uses and diversions of
16-1 – Consent decision making for takes, uses
water
of surface water and groundwater
16-8 – Monitoring requirements of consent
holders
The application is consistent with the objectives and policies of the One Plan Regional Policy
Statement and Regional Plan.
1.2
Environmental Effects
This application has been assessed with regard to actual and potential adverse environmental effects, the
following outlines the conclusions and considerations:
Potential Environmental Effects
The application has been assessed by Raelene Mercer, Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council’s Water
Quantity Scientist. Ms Mercer has assessed the effect of the proposed take on the overall surface
water resource, and effects on any neighbouring surface water bodies. The abstraction is a renewal
of an existing consent for the same volume. This takes fits within the core allocation for the water
management zone.
Effect on the overall surface water resource
The abstraction point is located within the Upper Mangawhero Water Management Zone. Reports
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Potential Environmental Effects
indicate that there is sufficient water within the core allocation for this zone to continue to support
this renewal.
The water is to be used for artificial snow-making, and will be generally taken from June to September
or October, but occasionally extending to November depending on natural snow conditions. The bulk
of the water is likely to be taken in August.
The stream is a small headwater stream fed mainly by snow melt – at the time of the site visit in
February; the stream had a very low baseflow. Given the nature of the catchment, peak flows are
likely to occur in spring when the water demand for this activity is likely to be higher.
The One Plan Schedule A assessment identifies the following values for the unnamed tributary of the
Mangawhero: Trout spawning, life-supporting capacity, mauri, stock drinking water. In regard to the
trout spawning value – the time of year when brown trout spawn is likely to coincide with the
maximum abstraction from the stream, however, as the stream freezes over in places at these times,
and due to the water temperature and altitude spawning activity in the upper reaches of this stream
would be unlikely.
Conclusion
Based on the assessment by Ms Mercer and the conditions included below, I consider that the effects
of the proposed take will be less than minor.
Duration
The abstraction is located in the Upper Mangawhero (Whau_3d) subzone of the Lower Whangaehu
Water Management Zone in the One Plan (2016).
I consider that a term of 12 years is appropriate as it aligns with the One Plan common catchment
expiry for the Lower Whangaehu Water Management Zone under Policy 12-5(b).
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Recommendation
It is recommended that the resource consent application by
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd for the activities
identified in the activity summary be granted, subject to conditions for the following reasons:
a.
the activity/activities has been assessed by Ms Raelene Mercer, Manawatu-Wanganui Regional
Council’s Water Quantity Scientist. Based on her advice I am satisfied the proposal will have less
than minor actual or potential adverse effects on the environment; and
b.
the activity is consistent with the relevant Objectives and Policies; and
c.
the activity is consistent with the purpose and principles of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Fiona Morton
CONSULTANT PLANNER
Decision
The Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council Regulatory Manager (under delegated authority), grants
resource consent for the reasons stated in the recommendation, to
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd under
section 104, 104B and 108 of the Resource Management Act 1991 to:
Activity Summary
Water, Surface water, , to take water for snowmaking purposes
for a term expiring on
1 July 2029 subject to the conditions outlined in the applicable condition
schedule(s).
Greg Bevin
REGULATORY MANAGER
9 May 2017
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1. Activity, Water Permit (Surface Water)
The following details the location, classifications and conditions associated with the activity.
Authorisation number
ATH-2000008548.01
Activity Type
Water, Surface Water
Activity Class
Controlled Activity
Primary Activity Purpose
Recreational, Rivers, Lakes and Watercourses
Replaces Consent
101135
Location
The following summarises the authorised location for the consented activity.
Activity Location Description
Turoa, above Ohakune Mountain Road, Mount Ruapehu, Ohakune
Valuation Number
12260/378/00B
Tongariro National Park DP 29594 Top of Ohakune Mountain Road Blk CI
Legal Description
Ruapehu SD
Map References
NZTopo50 BK34:177-461 / Easting: 1817788 / Northing: 5646170
Classifications
The following summarises the classifications associated with the application activity.
Water Management Zone
Whangaehu Catchment, Lower Whangaehu, Upper Mangawhero
Associated River
WHANGAEHU RIVER, Mangawhero River
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Condition Schedule
Descriptive Specification
1.
This consent authorises the abstraction of surface water from an unnamed tributary of the
Mangawhero River on the property legally described as Tongariro National Park DP29594 Top of
Ohakune Mountain Road Blk XI Ruapehu SD (hereafter referred to as the property) at
approximate map reference NZTopo50 BK34:177-461.
2.
The consent holder must undertake the activity in general accordance with the consent
application including all accompanying plans and documents first lodged with the Manawatu-
Wanganui Regional Council on
8 January 2015 and;
a.
further information received on
7 September 2016 via email being confirmation of the weir
design; and
b.
further information received on
21 October 2016, via email being confirmation of
stormwater flows.
Where there may be inconsistencies between information provided by the applicant and
conditions of the resource consent, the conditions of the resource consent will apply.
ADVICE NOTE: Any variance from the location, design concepts and parameters, implementation
and / or operation may require a new resource consent or a change of consent conditions
pursuant to section 127 of the Resource Management Act 1991.
3.
The existing intake structure into the pond from the culverted stream shall not be altered in any
way that results in the maximum daily take of 700m3/day from the stream being exceeded.
Pre-Development Assurance
4.
Prior to 1 August 2017, the consent holder shall have a flow meter installed by an accredited
installer. The flow meter must:
a.
have a pulse counter output traceably calibrated to +/- 5% or better; and
b.
be capable of providing the daily volume of water taken from the water storage dam as well
as a pulse counter output; and
c.
positioned to measure the entire volume abstracted under authorisation of this consent;
and
d.
installed in accordance with the Resource Management (Measurement and Reporting of
Water Takes) Regulation 2010; and
e.
installed in accordance with the IrrigationNZ “Guidelines for the Measurement and
Reporting of Water Takes” November 2010.
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ADVICE NOTE: An accredited installer is currently accredited by Irrigation New Zealand (also
referred to as IrrigationNZ) represented by the ‘Blue Tick’ logo. A list of accredited providers can
be located a
t www.irrigationnz.co.nz
ADVICE NOTE: Due to the infrastructure set up from the unnamed tributary to the pond, a flow
meter is unable to be attached at the point of abstraction. To enable measurement of the
volume of water authorised by this Permit, the flow meter will be required to be installed on the
infrastructure which takes water from the storage dam.
5.
Prior to 1 August 2017, the consent holder shall install and maintain, in fully operational
condition, a GPS data logger / telemetry unit compatible with the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional
Council’s Telemetry System. The data logger / telemetry unit must be:
a.
Installed on the exit pipe from the water storage dam; and
b.
Have traceably calibrated to +/- 5% or better; and
c.
Set to New Zealand Standard Time.
6.
The consent holder shall ensure that the monitoring equipment referred to in conditions
4 and
5 in respect to the flow meters and telemetry equipment is located in a position where it can be
read and safely accessed at all times.
Environmental Standards
7.
The maximum daily abstraction of water shall not exceed
700 cubic metres per day (700 m3/day)
from the unnamed tributary of the Mangawhero Stream at a maximum instantaneous rate of 11
litres per second (l/s).
8.
The maximum seasonal abstraction of water shall not exceed
320,786 cubic metres1.
ADVICE NOTE: Seasonal abstraction is measured from 1 May to 30 November.
9.
The Consent Holder shall ensure that the weir is no more than 80mm above the invert of the 300
mm outlet pipe as shown on
ATH-2000008548.01 A.
Operational Restrictions
10.
In the event that the equipment detailed in conditions
4 and
5 in respect to the flow meters,
telemetry equipment and /or back flow preventer fails, replacement or repair will be at the
consent holder’s expense and replacement or repair will be required within seven (7) days.
1 Comprised of an max seasonal volume of 150,000m3 and a stormwater volume of 170,786m3
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Post-Development Assurance
11.
Prior to
1 August 2017, the consent holder shall have the flow meter (required by Condition
4)
verified by an Irrigation New Zealand “Blue Tick” accredited verifier.
12.
The flow meter shall be verified by an Irrigation New Zealand “Blue Tick” accredited verifier every
five (5) years thereafter to ensure compliance with condition
4. The consent holder shall provide
evidence of verification in writing to the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council’s Regulatory
Manager within one month of the verification being completed.
ADVICE NOTE: Written verification can be sent to the Regulatory Manager via email
[email address] –OR- via mail addressed to:
C/-
The
Regulatory
Manager, Horizons Regional Council, Private Bag 11025, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston
North 4442.
Monitoring Provision
13.
The consent holder shall allow any Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council staff member and its
agents to attach monitoring or telemetry equipment to monitor water use to ensure compliance
with consent conditions and / or as part of a programme to enable monitoring of total water use.
14.
In the event that the equipment details in conditions 4, 5, 6 and 7 in respect to the flow meter,
telemetry equipment and back flow preventer is removed for servicing or replacement, the
consent holder shall notify the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council’s Regulatory Manager
within one (1) working day.
ADVICE NOTE: Notification can be submitted to the Regulatory Manager by phone on 0508 800
800–OR–via email
[email address]
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Review
15.
The Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council, under s128 of the Resource Management Act, may in
July 2019 and July 2024, serve notice of its intention to review the conditions of this resource
consent for the purpose of reviewing the effectiveness of these conditions in avoiding and
mitigating any adverse effects on the environment. The review of conditions shall allow for:
a.
an assessment of the water abstraction volumes and rates detailed in the conditions of this
consent against any future allocation policy, and if necessary a change to the monitoring
outlined in the conditions of the consent; and /-OR-
b.
deletion or amendments to any conditions of this resource consent to ensure adverse
effects are appropriately mitigated; and / -OR-
c.
addition of new conditions as necessary, to avoid, remedy or mitigate any unforeseen
adverse effects on the environment; and / -OR-
d.
if necessary and appropriate, the adoption of the best practicable options to avoid, remedy
or mitigate any adverse effects on the environment.
ADVICE NOTE: Any review exercised under this condition may result in the abstraction volume
and / or rate being reduced and / or restricted, or further restrictions being placed on the
abstraction volume and / or rate during low flow conditions. Efficiency of the take and
application method will be factors that will be taken into account in this review.
Duration
16.
The resource consent will expire on
1 July 2029.
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