Waimakariri District Plan hearings expected mid-year
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Hearings on the proposed Waimakariri District Plan are expected to be held mid-year.
Waimakariri District Council development planning manager Matt Bacon says the aim is to integrate variation 1, which gives effect to the new medium density residential standards (MDRS), into the district plan process before the hearings.
This would mean appointing an independent commissioner, which was a requirement of the MDRS legislation.
‘‘It makes sense to integrate the process so people don’t have to turn up and present on the district plan, and then make effectively the same submission two days later for a Variation 1 hearing.
‘‘We are working with the hearings panel to work out how they want to run the hearings and we expect they will put some direction around how they intend to hear the submissions.’’
He expected the hearings would be held in May or June.
The district plan was first notified in September 2021, with 421 submissions being received, which made 6704 submission points.
About 53% of submissions indicated support for the proposed changes in the draft district plan and submitters addressed a wide range of issues, Bacon said.
A further 81 submissions were received in response to Variation 1.
Bacon said ‘‘a well-informed’’ district plan was essential, even though the Government’s proposed legislation to replace the Resource Management Act aimed to replace district plans with regional plans.
‘‘It will take about eight to 10 years to transition before the new process comes in, so in the meantime we are progressing with the district plan.
‘‘In the legislation it isn’t entirely clear what happens to the district plan, but there will be a local ‘statement of intent’ and we would imagine a lot of that would be from the district plan.
‘‘Hopefully we will get a well-informed district plan which can then progress seamlessly into a regional plan.’’
Bacon said replacing district plans with regional plans had some merit.
The difficulty was in allowing for local variation across a large region like Canterbury, he said.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
-
9.3% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
-
43.5% I want to be able to choose.
-
47.2% Against. I want to deal with people.
Poll: Would you take a 1.5-hour hike for a shop? 🌿🐦
Canterbury, you have a hidden treasure right on your doorstep ... though it does come with a 1.5-hour walk up the stunning Rakaia Gorge Walkway.
Along the trail you’ll find The Fantail Shop showcasing small artworks by local artisans. Even better, every purchase supports the Fantail Trust, helping protect and restore biodiversity on the north bank of the gorge.
So we’re curious: would you take a 1.5-hour hike for a shop? (And for local biodiversity, of course 🌿)
-
32.4% Yes!
-
67.6% No thank you.
Musicians Wanted
‘Rangiora Bells’ is seeking musicians to join the handbell choir. We are a friendly group of handbell ringers who enjoy making music and entertaining at community groups.
If you would like to come and have a go at ringing handbells, please come along to one of our practice sessions. No commitment necessary if you decide that this is not for you.
An ability to read basic music notation preferred.
Practice days – Thursdays 1pm – 2.30pm
(beginning 19th February 2026)
In the lounge at Trinity Methodist Church
176 King Street
Rangiora
Clare Dolheguy
Phone 027 583 7504
claredoll6@gmail.com
Loading…
