What is this work all about?

What’s Your View is a campaign to understand the important natural features and landscapes in Southland and to get your views on where these are and why they’re important.

It’s the first part in the process of updating the District Plan so natural features and landscapes are managed appropriately for now and for the future.

The ultimate goal of the work is to update the Natural Features and Landscapes section and other relevant parts of the District Plan, but we want your help to do this.

What are we doing?

Southland District Council is reviewing the Natural Features and Landscapes section of the District Plan.

The District Plan is the document that manages how we use land within the District. The Natural Features and Landscapes section tells us how we can use land located within areas identified as having important environmental, cultural, and social value.

Why are we doing this?

  • To work together to look after what Southland has for future generations
  • To protect important places from increasing threats to our natural environment
  • Legislative requirements

How are we doing this?

1. Identifying important natural features and landscapes through

  • professional analysis by a landscape architect
  • cultural landscape assessment by mana whenua
  • community views and opinions

2. Working together to look at ways to protect and enhance the identified spaces
3. Updating the District Plan

We want you to be part of the conversation the whole way. Your input will shape this work. Click here to complete a short survey which will help to identify important areas. 

The Landscapes survey closed on 17 September 2023.

Thank you to those who took the time to complete the survey. Your feedback has been valuable for this project. A large number of surveys were received and our team will be working through the responses.

You can contact us on 0800 732 732 or email us at dp@southlanddc.govt.nz 

What’s next?

  • Talk to you - check the accuracy of findings
  • Conversations with stakeholders and communities about potential ways to look after these areas
  • Draft changes to the District Plan
  • Start the formal process to change the District Plan