The purpose of the Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan is to promote the sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the Marlborough Sounds area including the coastal environment. The Plan is a combined Plan containing the regional, regional coastal and district plans for the Marlborough Sounds area. The Plan sets out the objectives and policies and methods, including rules for the Marlborough Sounds area.
What Area Does the Plan Cover?

Plan Status
The Plan was made operative in parts on the 28 February 2003 and on 28 March 2003. The provisions not yet operative are identified on the page containing Council's seal and within the text of the Plan. From time to time the Council also puts forward proposals to change its resource management plan. The variations and proposed changes can be viewed at changes to the Plan.
Plan Content
The Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan is comprised of three volumes:
- Volume One - Contains the introduction to the Plan, which incorporates information requirements for resource consent applications, cross boundary matters and monitoring. Volume One contains the issues to be addressed by the Plan as a whole, the objectives, policies and methods to be used in promoting sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the Marlborough Sounds and the environmental results anticipated from their implementation.
- Volume Two - Sets out the rules to achieve the objectives, policies and methods including the assessment criteria for those activities subjected to resource consents. Volume Two - Also contains the interpretation section which defines the words, terms and phrases used in the Plan.
- Volume Three - Contains the planning maps for the Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan.
- Volume 3A - Contains the amendment maps that show the operative changes to the planning maps in Volume Three.