6.1 Outstanding Natural Features (ONF)

Introduction
Table 1:
Feature code Feature type
 Brief description
A1 Large landforms in working rural environments Landforms that are sufficiently large and robust to withstand small-scale earthworks or constructions without significant impact and which are currently used in working rural environments
A Large landforms Landforms that are sufficiently large and robust to withstand small-scale earthworks or constructions without significant impact.
V
V1 and V2
 Large volcanic landforms V1: The publicly owned and mainly unmodified portions of the scoria cones, explosion craters and tuff rings of the Auckland and South Auckland volcanic fields, including all areas zoned as open space

V2: The privately owned and partially modified portions of the scoria cones, explosion craters and tuff rings of the Auckland and south Auckland volcanic fields
B Smaller more fragile landforms Small landforms or other features that could be damaged or destroyed by relatively small-scale earthworks or constructions
C Dynamic landforms and features Landforms or features that rely on the continuation of natural physical processes beyond the feature for their continued existence such as shell spit, sand dune, and spring
D Exposures of geological material Natural or man-made exposures that are sufficiently large and robust that small-scale earthworks or rock sampling will have no significant impact, such as coastal cliffs
E Fragile exposures of geological material Small, natural or man-made exposures or high value portions of exposures that could be damaged or destroyed by small-scale earthworks, sampling or construction
F1 and F2 Caves Caves, such as lava and sea caves and their entrances, may, depending upon their depth underground, be susceptible to damage from significant earthworks or constructions above them, or from changes in their catchments. Caves are divided into interior areas within 5m of the entrance F1 and exteriors F2.
1. Activity table
The following table specifies the activity status of activities in the Outstanding Natural Features (ONF) overlay. Table 1 below applies to ONFs located above the MHWS mark. For rules applying to ONFs in the CMA refer to the Coastal zones rules.
Table 1: Activity table – Outstanding natural features overlay - Land use and development 
Activity  A1
  A  V1  V2  B  C  D  E  F1  F2
Development
Buildings and structures
  P  D  D  D  NC  NC  NC  NC  NC  D
Rural
Grazing of sheep and goats  P  P  P  P  RD  RD  P  RD  NC  P
Grazing of other stock  P  RD  D  RD  RD  RD  RD  RD  NC  P
Farm or forestry quarries  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr
Forestry  P  D  D  D  D  D  RD  D  NC  D
Conservation planting
 P  P  RD  P  D  RD  D  D  NC  NC
Fences - post and wire  P  P  D  RD  RD  RD  RD  D  NC  NC
Fences - except post and wire  RD  RD  D  D  D  D  D  D  NC  NC
Network Utilities
Minor infrastructure upgrading
  P  P  D  RD  RD  RD  RD  D  NC  NC
Note: For the vegetation rules that apply to to this overlay refer to the Vegetation Management rules. For the earthworks rules that apply to this overlay refer to to the Earthworks rules.
2. Assessment - Restricted discretionary activities
2.1 Matters of discretion

The council will restrict its discretion to the matters below for the activities listed as restricted discretionary in the activity table:

1.nature, form and extent of proposed works
2.effects on landscape values
3.the degree of existing geological modification
4.the need or purpose of the proposed building or structure
5.alternative methods and locations
6.protection or enhancement of the feature.
7.mana Whenua values.

2.2 Assessment criteria
The council will consider the relevant assessment criteria below for the restricted discretionary activities listed above:
1.Whether the nature, form and extent of the proposed works or activity adversely affects the feature or features for which the item was scheduled:
a. whether the activity will result in increased erosion of the feature
b. for grazing applications, whether the proposed stocking intensity will result in increased compaction or erosion of the feature, or will result in changes to the vegetation on site in ways that will affect the values for which the feature is scheduled e.g. grazing effects on dune vegetation resulting in changes to the nature and form of the dunes
c. for fencing applications, whether the proposed fence requires ground disturbance or earthworks that will affect the values for which the feature is scheduled
d. whether the activity will interfere with natural processes eg forestry or vegetation planting effects on nature and form of sand dunes.
2.Whether the proposed works or activity cause adverse visual effects or adversely affect landscape values.
3.The degree to which the feature or features have already been modified so that further modification will not cause significant additional loss of geological value.
4. The extent to which the modification is necessary.
5. The purpose of the proposed works or activity and whether it has specific connections or relevance to the scheduled item.
6. What alternative methods and locations are available to the applicant for carrying out the work or activities that do not affect a scheduled feature.
7. The extent to which the proposed works will protect the feature from further damage, such as erosion protection, or remediate it from previous damage. This excludes potential damage from the activity for which consent is sought.
8. In the case of the subdivisions, the extent to which the resultant sites can be developed without affecting the values for which the feature is scheduled.
9.Whether the proposed structure has a functional need to be in the location proposed.
10. Whether the proposed structure will improve the resilience and security of the infrastructure network.
11. Whether the proposed building or structure will impact on Mana Whenua values.

3. Special information requirements
1. An application for any activity must be accompanied by:
a. site plan showing location of the Significant Outstanding Natural Feature and the proposed activity.