What they are

Under the Resource Management Act 1991, councils are required to identify and protect significant natural areas (SNAs).

SNAs contain threatened native species or rare types of habitat. They can be on private or public land, and their purpose is to help prevent the extinction of threatened plants and animals.

SNAs in Hamilton include Hammond Bush, gullies, islands on the Waikato River, sections of bush clad riverbank, and areas where native animals such as the long-tailed bat live.

Hamilton’s SNAs can be viewed on the District Plan SNA Review map which also shows SNAs that have been proposed in a change to the District Plan.

SNAs on private land

Rules in Chapter 20 of the District Plan outline what can and can’t be done in SNAs. These rules are currently being reviewed as part of a change to the District Plan. If an SNA covers just part of a private property, it may still be possible to develop other parts of the property, depending on how this could impact the SNA.

Contact us if you have any questions about SNAs on private land.

 

 

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Last updated 28 July 2022