Bridges

Whether it's a footbridge over the stream at the bottom of the garden, or a rail bridge over the Hutt River, structures over rivers have to be authorised by the Regional Council, either by a land use consent or a regional rule. This is because bridges make flooding worse if they are built without enough room for flood flows to pass underneath. And because bridge piers can contribute to bank erosion if they are too close to river banks and steer the river flow into the bank.

All structures over the beds of rivers and lakes are controlled in the Regional Freshwater Plan. All structures over river estuaries and other coastal water are controlled in the Regional Coastal Plan.

Bridges and other structures over rivers and lakes

Rule 22 of the Regional Freshwater Plan permits the maintenance, repair, replacement, extension, addition to, or alteration of any existing lawful structure provided the activity complies with the conditions stated in the rule. An "existing" structure is one that existed on 25 January 1997 (the date the Proposed Plan was publicly notified).

Rule 25 of the Regional Freshwater Plan permits the placement and use of any river crossing (including any culvert, weir, ford or small bridge) that is fixed in, on, under, or over the bed of any intermittently flowing river or stream provided the activity complies with the conditions stated in the rule.

Rule 31 of the Regional Freshwater Plan permits the erection and maintenance of bridges over rivers if they are less than six metres long and provided the activity complies with the conditions stated in the rule.

Rule 43  of the Regional Freshwater Plan requires a land use consent to maintain, repair, replace, extend, add to, or alter any existing lawful structure not allowed as a permitted activity by Rule 22. This is a controlled activity provided the standards and terms in the rule are met.

Rule 47 of the Regional Freshwater Plan requires a land use consent to place and use any bridge, culvert, weir, or ford across any river, except the mainstema of rivers specified in the rule. This is a controlled activity provided the standards and terms in the rule are met.

Rule 49 of the Regional Freshwater Plan requires a land use consent for any activity that is not allowed by Rule 22, 25, or 31, or that doesn't meet the standards of Rule 43 or 47. This is a discretionary activity.

Bridges and other structures over the coastal marine area, including river estuaries

Rule 6   of the Regional Coastal Plan permits the maintenance, repair, replacement, extension, addition to, or alteration of any existing lawful structure provided the activity complies with the conditions stated in the rule. An "existing" structure is one that existed on 29 June 1994 (the date the Proposed Plan was publicly notified).

Rule 13 of the Regional Coastal Plan requires a coastal permit to maintain, repair, replace, extend, add to, or alter any existing lawful structure that is not allowed by Rule 6. An "existing" structure is one that existed on 29 June 1994 (the date the Proposed Plan was publicly notified). This is a controlled activity provided the standards and terms in the rule are met.

Rule 25  of the Regional Coastal Plan requires a coastal permit to use or develop a structure outside any Area of Significant Conservation Value and not specifically provided for in Rules 6 to 24, Rules 26 or 27. This is a discretionary activity.

Rule 26 of the Regional Coastal Plan requires a coastal permit to use or develop a structure inside any Area of Significant Conservation Value and not specifically provided for in Rules 6 to 25, Rules 26 or 27. This is a non-complying activity.