The New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) wants more emphasis placed on heritage values when identifying and protecting rural landscapes in Central Otago.
The trust was one of more than 200 submitters on 23 proposed changes to the Central Otago district plan.
It supported the changes, which affect rural property, but its submission was excluded in error from the summary advertised by the Central Otago District Council in July.
The submission was made public this week.
The plan changes were aimed at addressing rural development issues and took effect from when they were advertised on October 11 last year.
Further submissions on the changes can be made until October 2 and the council will then hold a hearing and make a decision.
In its submission, the trust's southern region manager, Malcolm Duff, of Christchurch, suggested the council carry out further studies on landscape values, incorporating heritage and cultural values.
"NZHPT notes the emphasis on natural environmental values and reminds the Central Otago District Council that, in Central Otago, historic heritage environments are also a significant component of landscapes," Mr Duff said.
The importance of Central Otago in the history of goldmining and goldfields development within New Zealand and worldwide should be emphasised in the district plan changes.
Mr Duff said the trust believed significant phases of human impact had played a major role in shaping the Central Otago landscape.
