Submissions open for Proposed Waikato District Plan

Noel Smith from Noel Smith Councillor - Newcastle Ward

Waikato District Council’s Proposed Waikato District Plan has been notified and the community can now make a submission.

The Proposed Waikato District Plan (Stage 1) establishes the guidelines for future growth and development, including rules for protecting the district’s environment and heritage.

The Plan provides a new spatial vision for the future development of our communities and we look forward to receiving submissions from all community interests as we work towards finalising it.

The Plan gives guidance as to what you can do with your land – where you can put your garage and how many storeys your house can be depending on where you live in the district. But it also goes much deeper than that – we’re proud to say that our District Plan also protects our culture and heritage and has innovative ways to encourage development on Maori Freehold Land with papakaainga housing developments etc.

Up until now, the district has had two different sections of the Plans, planning provisions inherited from the old Franklin District Council and one for the rest of the district. With this Proposed Plan, we will be united and have one set of rules and guidelines for what we can do with land and how we manage the environment.

Reviewing the District Plan has been a long process which has involved numerous opportunities for the community to have their say, but the formal process of submissions is now open.

Key changes between the current Operative Plan and the Proposed Plan include:

• The adding of around 60 heritage sites and buildings, along with 16 notable trees to their respective lists. The rules have been amended to provide for ongoing maintenance and care or repair.

• A consistent residential zone and redeveloped village zone, along with three business zones. Additional residential zone areas have also been created in Tuakau, Pokeno, Te Kowhai, Taupiri, Ngaruawahia and Horotiu to allow for growth, along with an additional industrial zoned area in Huntly.

• Under the Taangata Whenua chapter, flexible provisions have been created that give more options for those with Maaori Freehold Land.

All landowners will have received a letter about the Proposed Waikato District Plan that either details the proposed changes to their property or prompts them to view the Plan to see if they would like to make a submission. We encourage everyone to make a submission online, but hard copies of the submission forms are also available from all Council offices, libraries and by phoning us on 0800 492 452 to request one.

Community drop-in sessions will be held in August and September throughout the district.

If you have any questions about the Proposed Waikato District Plan and the possible changes to your property, please drop in:

Te Kowhai Hall
Monday 17 September 11am-7pm
Tuesday 18 September 11am-7pm

If you would like advice on how to make a submission, make an appointment with an independent external expert by phoning 0800 492 452. Sessions with the expert are 30 minutes only and will take place at our drop-in sessions to be held throughout the district.

Lots of information on the Plan and its supporting documents can be found on our website, www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz.... This is also where you can make a submission.

The submission period opened on Wednesday 18 July, 2018 and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 9 October, 2018.