Heavy Industrial Zone — Whangārei
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum building height | 20m above ground level | Or 35m if no more than 25% of net site area exceeds 20m |
| Maximum major structure height | 20m above ground level | Or 35m if no more than 25% of net site area exceeds 20m |
| Front yard (road boundary) | 4.5m minimum setback | – |
| Side yard (Light Industrial Zone boundary) | 3m minimum setback | – |
| Side yard (Rural Production Zone or Open Space and Recreation Zone boundary) | 20m minimum setback | – |
| Rear yard (Mean High Water Springs or river bank >3m width) | 27m minimum setback | Excludes bridges, culverts, fences |
| Boundary landscaping (adjacent to Rural Production or Open Space and Recreation Zones) | 1.8m minimum height, 2m minimum depth | Maximum 1.2m within 5m of road boundary |
Permitted Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Primary industrial activities | Permitted |
| Ancillary activities to industrial activities | Permitted |
| Food and beverage (ancillary) | Permitted |
| Offices and retail (ancillary) | Permitted |
| Research laboratories (scientific, industrial, medical) | Permitted |
| Training facilities for industrial activities | Permitted |
| Outdoor storage or stockpile | Permitted |
| Small food and beverage (≤150m² GFA, 07:00–16:00 operation hours) | Permitted |
| Service station retail | Permitted |
| Service station (retail ≤50m² GFA excluding petrol) | Permitted |
Restricted Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Status | Matters of Discretion |
|---|---|---|
| Building/structure setback non-compliance (HIZ-R4.1) | Restricted Discretionary | Special/unusual site characteristics; functional and operational needs of industrial activities; effects on neighbouring amenity; development characteristics |
| Storage/stockpile non-compliance | Restricted Discretionary | Dust and odour effects; visual amenity effects; setback matters |
| Landscaping non-compliance (adjacent to Rural Production or Open Space and Recreation Zones) | Restricted Discretionary | Cumulative fragmentation effects; mitigation measures for adverse effects on adjacent zones |
| Retail or food and beverage (exceeding 150m² GFA, if ≤1,000m² business NFA) | Restricted Discretionary | Fragmentation effects on large-scale industrial land; ability to relocate; activity duration, nature, size, location; cumulative effects; mitigation for adjacent Rural Production, Residential, or Open Space and Recreation Zones |
| Public events or gatherings | Restricted Discretionary | Reverse sensitivity on neighbouring industrial activities; public amenity, health and safety; mitigation measures |
Non-Complying Activities
| Activity | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential activities (primary or ancillary) | Non-Complying | – |
| Sensitive activities (primary or ancillary) | Non-Complying | – |
| Retail or food and beverage (>1,000m² business NFA) | Non-Complying | – |
Subdivision Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Esplanade areas | Protected | Limit buildings adjacent to Mean High Water Springs and river banks |
| Land fragmentation | Avoid | Subdivision design must not fragment HIZ land or prevent industrial activities |
Special Precincts — Marsden Point Energy Precinct (PREC6)
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum building height | Complies with HIZ-R3 (20m or 35m) | – |
| Maximum major structure height (existing at 15 July 2020) | Not materially increased on alteration/replacement | – |
| Maximum major structure height (new) | 20m above ground level | Or 40m if no more than 25% of net site area exceeds 20m |
| Additional columns (up to 3) | 56m maximum height | New structures only |
| Additional furnace stack (up to 1) | 75m maximum height | New structure only |
| Flare stack (alteration/replacement) | 130m maximum height | – |
| Boundary landscaping | Not required | PREC6 exemption |
| Permitted activities | All energy-related activities | Includes production, import, refining, distribution of energy products; staff/visitor facilities |
Special Precincts — Bream Bay Marine Science and Research Precinct (PREC7)
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted activities | Marine science, aquaculture research, commercialisation, laboratories, diving, training | Ancillary to primary marine research function |
| Building and major structure setback | 3m minimum from site boundaries | Supersedes general HIZ setback requirements |
| Landscaping | Complies with HIZ-R6–R8 or HIZ-R9–R14 | Standard rules apply except as modified |
Key Objectives and Policies
Objectives:
- HIZ-O2: Industrial activities function without constraint from non-compatible activities; adverse effects on adjacent zones managed
- HIZ-O4: Ancillary activities controlled to prevent reverse sensitivity and preserve industrial land supply
- HIZ-O6: Large sites preserved for industrial activities; research laboratories recognised as complementary
Policies:
- HIZ-P1: Maintain character including high noise levels, large site sizes, heavy traffic, moderate-high nuisance exposure, low active building frontage
- HIZ-P2: Enable industrial activities (especially noxious) without constraint
- HIZ-P3: Avoid non-industrial/sensitive activities except ancillary activities that do not generate reverse sensitivity or hinder industrial establishment/operation
- HIZ-P4: Manage visual effects through height limits, setbacks, and landscaping while respecting functional operational needs
- HIZ-P6: Safeguard esplanade areas; avoid land fragmentation
- HIZ-P7: Provide for research laboratories and training facilities designed to operate symbiotically with industrial activities
Note: Minor buildings are exempt from rules HIZ-R3–R4. Training facilities for industrial activities are classified as general industry.