Where Provisions Belong
Putting issues, objectives, policies, methods, and ERAs in the right place in a plan is vital. It shows clarity of thought, and makes for an impressive and intellectually robust document.
Two useful techniques in helping policy makers decide what goes where in a plan are:
- distinguishing policies from methods
- using the sequence of the public policy cycle.
Good practice tip - wiring diagrams
Some plans use wiring diagrams at the beginning of chapters to summarise and explain the relationship between complex issues, objectives and policies.
Distinguishing policies from methods
Possibly the most common problem for policy makers is distinguishing policies from methods. It is not uncommon for a plan to include policies that are more like methods. Inaccurately identifying a policy as a method can make the policy section less transparent, and less relevant for decision-makers.
A policy should not simply focus on requiring a consent, imposing a rule or controlling an activity - these things are methods that implement the underlying policy. For example, a resource consent is a mechanism that allows the decision maker to apply the policy.
The policy is the position, consideration, or criteria applied in deciding whether an activity or effect should be allowed. Policies lie at the mid point between an objective and a method, and are arguably the most difficult provisions to draft.
Identifying policies requires the policy maker to be explicit about what the local authority's position is on a particular issue (what will it tolerate, where, and in what circumstances). Poorly drafted policies convey an impression that matters have not been well thought through, or that there is a desire to avoid transparency.
Good practice tip - identifying the policy
If the policy isn't readily apparent, draft the objective, specify the method and, working backwards, ask "what needs to be done through the application of this method to achieve the objective?"
Using the sequencing of the public policy cycle
The following table shows how using the public policy cycle can help a policy maker identify what goes where in a plan.
1 What is the problem (the issue)?
| Regional example | Territorial example |
|---|---|
| Degradation of water quality in permanently flowing streams and rivers, lakes and wetlands due to:
|
The loss of residential character and amenity values enjoyed by residents, due to the expansion of commercial uses into residential areas. |
2 What do we want to achieve in the environment by resolving the problem (the objective)?
| Regional example | Territorial example |
|---|---|
| The maintenance or enhancement of water quality in the region's surface water bodies to recreational/drinking water standard by 2015. The maintenance or enhancement of water quality to ecological guideline values in water bodies with sensitive or very high natural values by 2005. |
The maintenance of residential amenity values in XYZ including a low traffic environment and the residential scale and appearance of buildings. |
3 How are we going to achieve, or what position do we take on, the objective (the policy)?
| Regional example | Territorial example |
|---|---|
| Council will ensure that land owners manage stock presence in, and access to, surface water so that:
|
To control the establishment and operation of commercial activities in XYZ. Activities that are likely to generate traffic level not ordinarily associated with residential areas should not locate in XYZ. The residential scale and character of buildings within established residential areas is to be maintained |
4 How will we implement the policy (method)?
| Regional example | Territorial example |
|---|---|
| The use of permitted activity conditions requiring either the use of or compliance with:
The provision of financial assistance to landowners to implement measures to prevent stock access to streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands (including riparian planting, fencing, and dedicated crossing points). The provision of information to landowners on appropriate methods to prevent stock access to water bodies. Rules regulating access of stock to sensitive waterbodies. |
The provision in the plan of a commercial zone, and the use of rules to restrict commercial activities to that zone. |
5 What do we expect will be the combined effect of the objective, policy, and method (ERA)?
| Regional example | Territorial example |
|---|---|
| Water quality and streamside vegetation is maintained. X kms of new streamside fenced is established in the X and Y catchments by 2010. The number of stock crossing points is reduced by 20% by 2010. Existing farm operations continue to operate efficiently. |
The continued expansion of commercial activity but the concentration of this activity in defined areas. No decline in the level of perceived residential amenity as measures by council's annual residential survey. |
