Shopping Centre Zone — Whangārei
Objectives
| Objective | Policy Focus |
|---|---|
| SCZ-O3 Centre Viability | Consolidate larger compatible general retail stores; provide safe, pedestrian-friendly shopping environment; protect City Centre, Local Centre and Waterfront Zone primacy |
Key Policies
| Policy | Purpose |
|---|---|
| SCZ-P1 Shopping Centre Character | Recognise active urban environment, larger general retail with limited food/beverage, consolidated built form, shared facilities, moderate-to-high intensity, vehicle traffic accommodation, landscaping for visual impact reduction, proximity to City Centre or Waterfront |
| SCZ-P2 Consolidation | Encourage consolidation of large general retail at established shopping centres; encourage extensions toward City Centre; avoid new shopping centres |
| SCZ-P4 Small Scale Retail | Avoid small-scale retail establishing in existing centres where it undermines City Centre primacy or economic viability |
| SCZ-P6 Communal Facilities | Provide limited small-scale food and beverage activity; require communal facilities (bathrooms, rubbish bins, rest areas) |
| SCZ-P8 Building Exterior Treatment | Require landscaping and exterior treatment to enhance character, soften built form, be sensitive to adjoining zones, and demonstrate best practice urban design |
| SCZ-P9 Pedestrians and Cyclists | Improve pedestrian/cyclist circulation and connections; provide secured bicycle parking; design buildings to contribute positively to pedestrian experience |
| SCZ-P11 Infrastructure | Manage built form for daylight access and outlook; remedy/mitigate effects on roading network, utilities, and infrastructure |
| SCZ-P12 Subdivision | Discourage subdivision that reduces average net site area |
| SCZ-P14 Existing Service Stations | Provide for existing service stations while avoiding/mitigating adverse effects; protect esplanade areas and waterfront walkways |
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height | 15m above ground level | General rule |
| Height in relation to boundary | 3m above ground level plus shortest horizontal distance to Residential Zone or Open Space and Recreation Zone boundary | Alternative compliance method |
| Gross floor area threshold | 1,600m² | For buildings/major structures triggering setback requirements |
| Site coverage (impervious) | Maximum 85% of site area | Impervious surface limit |
| Setback from Open Space and Recreation Zone | 3m minimum | For buildings/major structures over 1,600m² GFA |
| Setback from Mean High Water Springs or river bank | 10m minimum | For buildings/major structures over 1,600m² GFA (excluding bridges, culverts, fences) |
| Impervious surface setback from Mean High Water Springs or river | 5m minimum | For rivers with width exceeding 3m (excluding bridges, culverts, fences) |
Permitted Activities — General Retail
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| General retail | Permitted | Occupies more than 450m² business net floor area; occurs in existing building |
| Grocery store | Permitted | Occupies more than 450m² business net floor area |
| Building redevelopment (internal) | Permitted | Within footprint of existing building; complies with SCZ-R4–R8 |
| Building redevelopment (external) | Permitted | Alterations do not increase GFA or alter principal façade by more than 20%; retain principal entrances (SCZ-R2.3), minimum 65% façade visual permeability, verandahs for pedestrian shelter |
| Principal entrances | Permitted | Must open directly onto shopping centre footpath/pedestrian connection or connect via smaller formed pedestrian connection |
Permitted Activities — Food and Beverage
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Food and beverage activity | Permitted | Maximum 350m² business net floor area per activity; total food/beverage activities not exceeding 5% of total shopping centre net floor area; activity in building with general retail; minimum 1 fixed rubbish bin provided; seating does not impede pedestrian use of footpaths |
Permitted Activities — Commercial Services
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial service activity | Permitted | Maximum 100m² business net floor area per activity; total commercial service activities not exceeding 2% of total shopping centre net floor area; activity in building with general retail activity |
Non-Complying Activities
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Service station (existing) | Non-Complying | Where service station is existing at 15 July 2020; any redevelopment must comply with SCZ-R2 and SCZ-R13.1 |
| Service station (redevelopment — Discretionary alternative) | Discretionary | Where redevelopment complies with SCZ-R13.2 |
Prohibited Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Various primary and ancillary activities | Prohibited |
Note: Evidence blocks 21–23 reference prohibited activities but do not specify which activities are prohibited.
General Requirements
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Safety and security design | Must utilise urban design and CPTED principles |
| Permitted activities general rule | Resource consent not required where activity not prohibited and complies with all applicable rules |
| Minor building exemptions | Minor buildings exempt from rules SCZ-R4–R7 |
Three Designated Shopping Centres
| Centre | Status |
|---|---|
| Tarewa Shopping Centre | Located in SCZ |
| Okara Shopping Centre | Located in SCZ |
| Okara West Shopping Centre | Located in SCZ |
Important: This page is derived from 23 source chunks. Always verify specific requirements with Whangārei District Council's official district plan before making decisions.