Port Zone — Whangārei
Overview
The Port Zone recognises the significance of Whangārei Port as regionally significant infrastructure. It applies only to the Port located at Marsden Point and is divided into three management areas:
- Port Operations Area A: Contains and is limited to the functions and operations of the Port
- Port Management Area B: Managed to provide for future expansion of Port operations with interim uses that do not compromise the primary purpose
- Port Management Area C: Provides for appropriate commercial and industrial activities adjacent to Marsden Bay Drive, buffering future Port operations from the public road
Building Standards
| Rule | Port Operations Area A | Port Management Area B | Port Management Area C | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum building height (excl. utilities/cranes/containers) | 20m | 20m | 15m | Above ground level |
| Maximum height for public utilities, light towers, silos, aerials, tanks | 60m | 40m | N/A | Excluding cranes and containers |
| Maximum operational crane height | 85m | N/A | N/A | Above ground level |
| Maximum container height | 30m | 20m | N/A | Above ground level |
| Maximum outdoor storage/stockpile height | 20m | 20m | 20m | Must comply with PORTZ-R3–R4 |
| Front yard setback | 10m | 10m | 10m | From road boundaries |
| Side yard setback | 3m | 3m | 3m | From Heavy Industrial or Light Industrial Zone boundary |
| Rear yard setback | 15m | 15m | 15m | From Open Space and Recreation Zone or Residential Zone boundary (exc. Port Operations Area A) |
| Setback from Mean High Water Springs / river bank | 27m | 27m | 27m | Excluding bridges, culverts, fences (exc. Port Operations Area A) |
| Height in relation to boundary | Height = 3m + (shortest horizontal distance to Residential/Open Space boundary) | As Port Operations Area A | As Port Operations Area A | Applies to buildings and major structures |
Permitted Activities
| Activity | Port Operations Area A | Port Management Area B | Port Management Area C | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port activities (primary/ancillary) | Permitted | Permitted (ancillary <100m² GFA) | Restricted Discretionary (if ancillary to industrial, ≤250m² NFA) | Subject to height and setback rules |
| Food and beverage / drive-through facilities | Permitted | Permitted (≤250m² NFA each) | Permitted (≤250m² NFA each) | Maximum 10 cumulative across Areas B and C |
| General retail activity | Permitted | N/A | Permitted (if ancillary to industrial, ≤250m² NFA) | Ancillary to industrial activities only in Area C |
| Commercial services | Permitted | Permitted (primary/ancillary) | Permitted (if ancillary to industrial, ≤250m² NFA) | In Area C, max 250m² NFA; ancillary to industrial only |
| Service facilities | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Outdoor storage/stockpile ≤20m height, complies with PORTZ-R3–R4 |
| Temporary activities | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Maximum 2 full-time equivalent employees; structures ≤5m, relocatable |
| Plant nursery | N/A | Permitted | N/A | Small-scale only, in Port Management Area B |
| Public accessways / walkways to Coastal Marine Area | Restricted Discretionary | Restricted Discretionary | Restricted Discretionary | Location, design, earthworks, public safety, effects on port operations |
Restricted Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Conditions | Matters of Discretion |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings/structures exceeding crane height (PORTZ-R2.1(a)(iii)) | Height >85m | Visual effects on Takahiwai marae/kāinga and cultural sites; location; number; arrangement of buildings/structures |
| Buildings/structures not meeting setback rules (PORTZ-R3.1(a)–(c)) | Setbacks <specified distances | Outlook and privacy of adjoining/adjacent properties; shading and visual dominance effects; streetscape character; safety and efficiency of transport network |
| General retail exceeding conditions (Port Management Area B) | Primary activity or ancillary to port activities | Location; effects on city centre and other centres; commercial viability |
| Commercial services exceeding conditions (Port Management Area B) | Primary activity or ancillary to port activities | Location; effects on city centre and other centres; commercial viability |
| Service facilities exceeding height (PORTZ-R8.1) | Height >20m or outdoor area non-compliant | Dust and odour effects; visual amenity effects; PORTZ-R3–R4 matters |
| Public accessways to Coastal Marine Area | As permitted conditions not met | Location and design of accessway/walkway; degree of earthworks; public safety effects; effects on port operations; existing access |
Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Buildings/structures not meeting height or setback rules (PORTZ-R2.1(b)(iii) or R2.1(c)(i)) | Where height/setback non-compliance in Port Operations Area A or Port Management Area B |
| Commercial services (Port Operations Area A) | Primary activity or ancillary activity |
| General retail (Port Operations Area A) | Primary activity or ancillary activity |
Non-Complying Activities
| Activity | Areas Affected |
|---|---|
| Primary or ancillary activities (unspecified) | Port Management Area C, Port Operations Area A, Port Management Area B |
| Activities compromising Port operations | All areas where activity is primary or ancillary |
Objectives & Policies
Objectives
PORTZ-O1: Public Access to the Coastal Marine Area
- Manage adverse effects of Port and port activities on the environment
- Maintain, and where practicable enhance, public access, use and enjoyment to and along the Coastal Marine Area, provided it does not adversely affect efficient and safe Port operation
PORTZ-O2: Current Operation and Future Development
- Recognise Port as regionally significant infrastructure and its contribution to economic and social wellbeing
- Provide for efficient and effective ongoing Port operation without undue constraints
- Provide for future development and expansion of Port operations
PORTZ-O3: Land Protection for Port Activities
- Avoid establishment of non-port related or sensitive activities within Port Operations Area A unless they demonstrate direct requirement and do not compromise Port operation
PORTZ-O4: Port Management Area B
- Manage establishment of non-port related activities and avoid sensitive activities that compromise safe and efficient Port operation
PORTZ-O5: Port Management Area C
- Enable appropriate commercial and industrial activities adjacent to Marsden Bay Drive
- Avoid compromising Port operation or viability of other centres
PORTZ-O6: Subdivision and Fragmentation
- Avoid fragmentation of Port Zone and reverse sensitivity effects
PORTZ-O7: Cultural Values
- Recognise and provide for relationship of Māori and their culture with cultural landscapes in Port development and expansion
Key Policies
PORTZ-P2: Protection of Land for Port Activities within Port Operations Area A
- Provide for wide range of existing and future port operations and activities
- Non-port activities only if they demonstrate direct requirement for proximity to Port and do not compromise safe and efficient operation
PORTZ-P3: Management of Land in Port Management Area B
- Manage non-port related activities to ensure they do not compromise safe and efficient Port operation
PORTZ-P4: Management of Land within Port Management Area C
- Enable appropriate commercial and industrial activities adjacent to Marsden Bay Drive while:
- Not compromising Port operation
- Managing reverse sensitivity
- Preserving transport corridors for Port traffic
- Not compromising viability of City Centre, Waterfront, Mixed Use, Local Centre, Neighbourhood Centre, and Shopping Centre Zones
PORTZ-P5: Adverse Effects
- Limit building and outdoor storage height to minimise visual amenity effects
- Minimise noise and light spill while recognising operational requirements
- Manage earthworks to avoid diverting flood flow or depleting floodplain storage
PORTZ-P6: Public Access to Coastal Marine Area
- Recognise