20 August 2025
Maddison Plumridge
e
: [FYI request #31716 email]
Tēnā koe Maddison
Local Government Official Information & Meetings Act 1987 Request:
We refer to your email of 23 July 2025, which includes requests for information under
the Local Government Official Information & Meetings Act 1987. Your particular
requests and responses are set out below:
•
Does council agree penguins exist on beaches in their area?
Penguins are well known feature in Caroline Bay. This is evident from references to
“Penguin Friendly Areas” at Caroline Bay and protective measures such as fencing and
signage near nesting sites.
Timaru District Council has several documents that contain the results of our
monitoring efforts, including published reports under section 35(2A) of the Resource
Management Act (RMA). These reports can provide insights into the status of penguin
populations, the effectiveness of our conservation measures, and any observed trends
over time.
It is worth noting that individual ecologists, report on hundreds of Significant Natural
Areas (SNAs) those reports are included in the Proposed Plan, however, to search each
of these reports for any possible mention of penguins (which is unlikely) would take
quite some time and would incur a cost for researching the data.
The SNA reports are publicly available on our website noted below, under Schedule 7 –
Significant Natural Areas:
https://www.timaru.govt.nz/services/planning/district-plan/proposed-district-
plan/proposed-district-plan/supporting-documents/supporting-information
•
Does council agree penguins are adversely affected?
Council does not hold any more specific information or opinion other than set out
above and you are directed you to DOC who enforce laws that protect wildlife.
2 King George Place - PO Box 522 Timaru 7940 - Telephone 03 687 7200
#1782439
•
Have they got plan objectives concerning them? (biodiversity, fauna) or similar?
•
Have they got plan policies concerning them? (biodiversity, fauna) or similar?
In response to these two questions, Timaru District Council (TDC) has policies within
both the Operative and Proposed Plans that pertain to wildlife protection and habitat
conservation. For ease of reference, links to the relevant sections of these plans are
provided below.
Link to the Proposed District Plan:
https://timaru.isoplan.co.nz/eplan/
Information within the Proposed District Plan:
https://timaru.isoplan.co.nz/eplan/rules/0/163/0/0/0/93
Information within the Operative District Plan:
872188-District_Plan_Part_B2_Natural_Environment_for_web.pdf
•
Have they got plan rules concerning them? (biodiversity, fauna) or similar?
The Significant natural area (SNA) ‘clearance’ is control ed by both the Operative Plan
and Proposed Plans. Notably, there is a small SNA 832 in the Proposed Plan around the
coastline from Caroline Bay.
•
If not rules, do they have other methods concerning them?
The Significant natural area (SNA) within the Operative Plan and Proposed Plans, there are
protective measures such as signage, fencing and signage near nesting sites.
•
If any of the above plan matters apply, is it monitoring them?
•
Has it acted on monitoring?
Regarding monitoring TDC responds to complaints as it receives them. There is no
active monitoring programme of penguins being undertaken currently for more
information on monitoring we direct you to DOC who enforce laws that protect
wildlife.
•
Are there dog control bylaws over beach areas?
Dogs are prohibited under the Control of Dog bylaws First Schedule from Caroline Bay
and other public places. This includes the Caroline Bay Beach Tidal Area from 1
October to 31 March each year, and al year round from the Penguin Friendly Areas
identified by signs at the northern and southern ends of the beach. For more detailed
information, you can refer to Chapter 6 of our bylaws document.
https://www.timaru.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/182703/Chapter-6.pdf
Specifically, please refer to page 61 under the heading ‘Timaru’.
2 King George Place - PO Box 522 Timaru 7940 - Telephone 03 687 7200
#1782439
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We trust this provides you with the information you are seeking, however, if you have
any further information requests arising from what we have provided please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Final y, you have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi
Group Manager Environmental Services
e
. [email address]
p. 03 687 7281
2 King George Place - PO Box 522 Timaru 7940 - Telephone 03 687 7200
#1782439
Page 3
