THE EFFECT OF LAND USE ACTIVITIES ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Introduction

The rural environment dominates the District and is mostly used for pastoral and arable farming, horticulture and planted production forestry. There are also the urban environments of Gore and Mataura. The rural environment is characterised by the compatibility of land uses, expanses of open space, privacy for inhabitants, a minimum of signage, low background noise levels and a high quality roading network. Commercial and industrial activities are generally located where the environment and landscape can absorb the effects of these activities. Gore is the largest urban environment in the District and it is largely residential in character.

It is also characterised by compatibility of land uses, generous open space (including parks and schools), low levels of light spill and low background noise levels. The District centre for retail and commercial activity is situated in Gore. When compared with the balance of the urban environment, the commercial area has increased signage, noise and light levels, larger buildings, and increased traffic and pedestrian activity.Land Use

The compatibility of land uses and its ability to absorb the adverse effects of activities is as can be expected for a rural retail/commercial sub-regional centre. The central commercial area however continues to maintain much of the character that it developed in its early years, including a wide main street, continuous building facades, provision of verandas and a high amenity for pedestrians. Areas of industrial activities have higher levels of noise, lighting, heavy vehicle movements, bulk storage of hazardous substances and larger buildings than other parts of the District.Land Use

Mataura is the other urban environment within the District, being predominantly industrial in character, resulting in higher noise and odour levels than Gore. Mataura residential areas are somewhat similar to those comparable locations in Gore with the exception of the dominance of industrial activity that is located in Mataura. Smaller settlements (Waikaka, Pukerau and Mandeville) provide rural servicing and residential activities and as such have a wider range of land uses in proximity one to another.Land Use