1185 days ago

Combined Coast districts plan closing

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

The draft Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP) has drawn over 300 public submissions so far.

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday.

The draft plan -- which combines the Grey, Westland and Buller district plans - was publicly notified in July.

Hearings are expected to be under way by mid-2023.

Plan committee chairperson Rex Williams said the level of submissions was as expected and indicated "a good level of interest".

Planning staff had also fielded a lot of calls from the public. The impact of the plan on individual properties was one thing people had clarified in discussions with staff.

"Submissions range across everything really," Williams said.

Half appeared to be around property zoning and the remainder reflected questions on other zoning aspects of the draft.

For some, the TTPP had been an introduction to the planning process.
He said there had been "one or two mistakes" in the mapping and there was opportunity through the plan committee's own submission to flag anything that needed clarifying.

"Obviously we're leaning over backwards to resolve anything like that."

Williams said some late submissions would be accepted "in exceptional circumstances".

While the deadline for submissions is tomorrow - after already being extended twice - late submissions could be accepted for up to a week later "however they have to be late for a reason".

Exceptional circumstances would include delays because people had been out of the country, had not received the mailout notification, or involved timing issues for community organisations wishing to make a collective submission, he said.

Drafting of the new plan began in 2019 after the Local Government Commission directed the West Coast Regional Council to oversee the process of combining the three plans.

The TTPP Committee was formed as a result of that and is made up of representatives of the four councils and West Coast iwi.

*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air

More messages from your neighbours
18 days ago

Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

Image
19 days ago

Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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?

Image
As a customer, what do you think about automation?
  • 9.5% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
    9.5% Complete
  • 43.4% I want to be able to choose.
    43.4% Complete
  • 47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
    47.1% Complete
2337 votes
3 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

Image